Israel expands Lebanon assault, striking banks to hit Hezbollah's finances
NBCOct 20
Israel Strikes Hezbollah-Affiliated Banks in Lebanon
Above: US President Joe Biden's senior adviser Amos Hochstein meets with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati during his official visit in Beirut, Lebanon on Oct. 21, 2024. Image copyright: Houssam Shbaro/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Israel struck Al-Qard Al-Hassan bank branches across Lebanon late on Sunday, saying it was targeting Hezbollah's finances. Israel announced evacuation orders for the strikes, leading to scores of people fleeing their homes.
Al-Qard Al-Hassan was established in 1983 and is estimated to have hundreds of thousands of clients. Deceased Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the financial institution was supported and protected by Hezbollah. The US sanctioned Al-Qard Al-Hassan in 2007.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7. However, it is in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel has been incredibly patient regarding the situation in the north, but, after a year of daily terror attacks on Israeli civilians, Israel has been forced to deal with Hezbollah more aggressively. Israel wants peace more than anyone, but it cannot allow Hezbollah and other Iran-backed terror groups to threaten its society in such an existential way.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel has escalated the situation in the region every chance it has gotten, with the US supporting it every step of the way. Indeed, Israel has demonstrated that it seeks to expand the genocidal campaign that began in Gaza to Lebanon. Though the US, the most powerful country in the world, has continued its charade that it wants de-escalation, the reality is the US fully supports Israel's crimes across the region. Hamas and Hezbollah may be weakened, but resistance to Israel's expansionist project is inevitable.