Lebanese people flee, UN mission attacked by Israel again

(CLO) Hundreds of Beirut residents fled their homes on Sunday night after Israel said it was preparing to strike sites linked to the financial operations of the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

Shortly after the Israeli warning, several explosions were heard and a large fire was seen in southern Beirut. Panicked crowds clogged traffic in some areas of Beirut as they tried to reach neighborhoods believed to be safer.

"The IDF (Israeli army) will begin attacking infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association - stay away immediately," an Israeli army spokesman said in a statement on X.

Israel bombards areas south of Beirut on October 20, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Al-Qard al-Hassan – which the US says is used by Hezbollah to manage its finances – has more than 30 branches across Lebanon, including 15 in densely populated areas in central Beirut and its suburbs.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel said it had struck Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters and an underground weapons factory in Beirut. The Israeli military said warplanes killed three Hezbollah commanders.

Hezbollah is now trying to strike back. It says it has fired rockets at Israeli forces in Lebanon and at a base in northern Israel.

A 41-year-old Israeli colonel was killed and another officer was wounded in fighting in northern Gaza on Sunday, the Israeli military said. Israeli media reported that an explosive device detonated under a tank.

Lebanon estimates that more than 2,400 people have been killed and more than 1.2 million displaced in Lebanon in Israeli attacks over the past year. Some 59 people have been killed in northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights during the same period, according to Israeli authorities.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is also being targeted by Israeli forces. Photo: AP

In another development related to the fighting in Lebanon, the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement that an Israeli army bulldozer destroyed an observation tower and fence surrounding a United Nations post in Marwahin, southern Lebanon on Sunday.

“We remind [Israeli forces] and all relevant parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises at all times,” UNIFIL added in a statement.

The text calls on Israel to stop violating UN positions, which it considers a "flagrant violation of international law".

This is just the latest in a series of incidents in which Israel has targeted UN peacekeeping facilities. Last Wednesday, UNIFIL said an Israeli tank fired on one of its watchtowers in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL has been monitoring the border area between Israel and Lebanon since 1978. More than 10,000 troops from more than 50 countries have been deployed to carry out this mission.

Bui Huy (according to AJ, Reuters, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-dan-lebanon-thao-chay-khi-israel-tan-cong-phai-bo-lhq-lai-bi-nham-muc-tieu-post317649.html