By Micah Jonah, March 10, 2026
Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on branches of the Hezbollah affiliated financial institution, Al Qard al Hasan in Beirut, as tensions continue to rise across Lebanon.
Lebanon’s state run National News Agency reported that the strikes targeted a building in the Bir al Abed area of the southern suburb of Haret Hreik, as well as another branch along the road leading to Beirut’s international airport.
The Israeli military had earlier announced plans to strike branches of the institution, which operates as a quasi banking system that provides interest free loans and other financial services. The organisation has been under sanctions by the United States since 2007.
Additional strikes were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs, including the neighbourhoods of Ghobeiry, Haret Hreik and Safir. Many of these areas had already been largely evacuated following warnings issued by Israel last week. Authorities say those displaced from southern Lebanon now represent nearly eight percent of the country’s population.
Residents in the Lebanese capital remain on edge as the airstrikes continue. Local authorities have redirected traffic, blocked several roads around affected areas, including the Al Qard al Hasan branch in the central Beirut neighbourhood of Nouairi.
Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun said he had informed the United Nations and the international community that Lebanon is ready to resume negotiations aimed at halting the escalation.
Fighting intensified after the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah. Since hostilities resumed earlier this month, Israeli air raids have reportedly killed more than 400 people, displaced hundreds of thousands across Lebanon.
Government officials say more than 517,000 people have now been registered as internally displaced since the conflict escalated.
