Israel strikes Hezbollah financial institutions as Lebanon calls for talks

Israel strikes Al-Qard al-Hasan branches; Lebanese president says ready to resume negotiations to halt escalation.Published On 9 Mar 2026The Israeli military has struck the Al-Qard al-Hasan financial institution in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, after issuing a statement announcing that it would target the branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated charity.Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported strikes on Monday on the Al-Qard al-Hasan building in the Bir al-Abed area, in the southern neighbourhood of Haret Hreik, and on another branch along the road to Beirut’s international airport.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israel unlawfully used white phosphorus in Lebanon: HRWlist 2 of 3Iran war: What is happening on day 10 of US-Israel attacks?list 3 of 3US-Israel war on Iran: A brief history of mission creep and false promisesend of listThe quasi-banking system, which operates outside the Lebanese financial system to provide interest-free loans and other financial services, has been under United States sanctions since 2007.Lebanese authorities also blocked roads and redirected traffic leading to the Al-Qard al-Hasan branch in Nouairi, a neighbourhood in central Beirut.Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, said residents were “living on edge”. “While Israel has issued a warning, more often than not, strikes come without any prior notice,” she said.More strikes were reported from Beirut’s southern suburbs, which have been largely emptied of residents after Israel issued forced evacuation warnings last week. Those affected by the forced evacuation in southern Lebanon make up almost 8 percent of the country’s population.NNA said Israeli air attacks hit the neighbourhoods of Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik, and the Safir area.Contrary to Beirut’s southern neighbourhoods, the central Beirut neighbourhood of Nouairi is densely populated, hosting many of the internally displaced people.