Israel reports fresh Hezbollah rocket fire after Lebanon airstrikes

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army reported fresh rocket fire by Hezbollah into northern Israel on Monday following Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon.

A military statement said that around 25 rockets were launched into several areas in northern Israel, with some intercepted.

No injuries or damage were reported.

The rocket fire came shortly after Israel launched extensive airstrikes in Lebanon during the night and early morning hours, primarily targeting branches of the Al-Qard al-Hassan, a financial institution linked to Hezbollah.

On Sunday evening, the Israeli army carried out 11 airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, southern and eastern Lebanon targeting Al-Qard al-Hassan branches, including one near Rafik Hariri International Airport, according to Lebanese state media.

Videos from some of the targeted areas showed significant destruction to the buildings hit by the Israeli strikes.

Al-Qard al-Hassan is one of the key financial institutions of Hezbollah, established in the 1980s as a charitable association.

In 2007, the US imposed sanctions on the association, saying that Hezbollah uses it as a cover to manage its financial activities and access the global financial system.”

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since Sept. 23 against what it says are Hezbollah targets, in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza.

Nearly 2,500 people have been killed and more than 11,500 others injured in Israeli attacks since last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.
Israel expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul