Israeli army eliminates dozens of Hezbollah militants in ongoing fighting in Lebanon VIDEO

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are actively engaged in combat with Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, targeting infrastructure and capturing significant quantities of weapons and ammunition.

The military operations have led to the seizure of various munitions, including anti-tank missiles, mines, explosives, and grenades, Caliber.Az reports, citing the IDF press service.

During these confrontations, Israeli forces successfully eliminated a group of militants responsible for launching rocket attacks into Israeli territory, as well as a number of fighters, including field commanders and those armed with anti-tank weaponry. The troops also discovered and destroyed underground infrastructure used by the terrorists, neutralizing militants found within.

The Israeli air force also struck dozens of Hezbollah missile installations and military facilities.

In a related escalation, on the night of October 21, the Israeli Air Force conducted strikes on multiple targets in Beirut, as well as in eastern and southern Lebanon. These airstrikes were directed at Hezbollah command centres and other facilities, including ammunition depots.

The IDF reiterated its commitment to continuing attacks on branches of the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Foundation, which finances Hezbollah and facilitates the procurement of arms. Reports indicate that these branches contained hundreds of millions of dollars belonging to the militant group.

It is important to note that Al-Qard Al-Hassan is not a conventional bank; it operates as a financial institution without a banking license and is directly managed by Hezbollah. Established in 1982, it was originally promoted as a charitable organization offering interest-free loans under Sharia law in exchange for collateral or guarantees. This approach garnered significant support among Lebanon's Shia population, enabling Hezbollah to consolidate its influence in society.

Over the years, Al-Qard Al-Hassan has evolved into a substantial organization with 35 branches throughout Lebanon, approximately half of which are located in Beirut. The U.S. Treasury Department had already imposed sanctions on this entity back in 2007, underscoring its critical role in supporting Hezbollah's operations and financing.

By Khagan Isayev