"Israel strikes three Hezbollah-linked financial institutions"

Israel is said to have attacked three financial institutions linked to Hezbollah.

Citing Lebanon's state-run NNA news agency, CNN reported that Israeli forces attacked three branches of the financial institution "Alkard al-Hasan" in the southern suburbs of Beirut on the evening of the 20th local time.

Earlier, Israel's defense ministry said the agency was playing a critical role in financing Hezbollah's operations and said it planned to attack and warned residents in nearby areas to evacuate.

Israel says Hezbollah is using its "Alkard al-Hasan" facility against Shiite worshippers to finance it from Western sanctions while operating it like a bank.

It also believes Hezbollah is using it to pay its members and provide money to Shiite residents in Lebanon to increase its influence.