Israeli airstrikes hit three branches of a Hezbollah-linked financial institution in Beirut on Sunday evening, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency. The strikes hit Al-Qard Al-Hassan branches in the Hay Al-Sellom, Burj Al-Barajneh and Ghobeiry areas of Beirut's southern suburbs, NNA reported. The news agency reported that evacuations were underway in Hermel, where buildings near an Al-Qard Al-Hassan branch were being cleared. Elsewhere, the Baalbek Government Hospital in the Beqaa region moved patients to "safer rooms" further away from a building associated with the financial institution across the street, the Lebanese Ministry of Health told CNN. The ministry said the hospital continues to operate normally. Earlier Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces had warned it planned to carry out strikes on locations belonging to the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association to block Hezbollah's access to financial resources. It has since issued evacuation warnings for parts of Beirut, along with several other areas in southern and eastern Lebanon. Founded in 1983, Al-Qard Al-Hassan is a nonprofit financial institution linked to Hezbollah that provides interest-free loans, based on Islamic lending principles, to the Shia community. Israel says Hezbollah uses the organization to pay salaries to its operatives and provide support to civilians, while avoiding sanctions. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed at least 16 people and injured 59 on Saturday, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. Most of the deaths were in southern Lebanon and Nabatiyeh, with additional injuries in the Beqaa region, the ministry said Sunday. Since Israel ramped up its strikes against Hezbollah on September 16, at least 1,802 people have been killed and 9,330 injured, according to a CNN tally of health ministry figures. The heavy bombardment continued Sunday, with Israel launching strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut and in towns near the Lebanese-Israeli border. — CNN
