Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah Command Center in Beirut, Resulting in Casualties
November 25, 2024, 12:40 pm

Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah Command Center in Beirut, Resulting in Casualties

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On Monday, Israel announced that an airstrike carried out by its aircraft on the Al-Basita area in central Beirut targeted a command center belonging to Hezbollah. The Israeli military stated in a brief announcement: "The Israeli army has struck a command center for Hezbollah."

The violent airstrike resulted in the deaths of at least 29 individuals and injured 67 others, according to the latest toll from the Lebanese Ministry of Health. A Lebanese security source reported that a "senior leader" in Hezbollah was targeted in the Israeli strike, while a Hezbollah MP denied that any "personality" from the organization was present at the site when the strike occurred.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that "the Israeli strike in Al-Basita targeted a Hezbollah leadership figure," without confirming whether the target was killed. Meanwhile, Hezbollah MP Amin Shari denied that the strike in Al-Basita targeted any leader from Hezbollah.

Since the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8, 2023, Lebanon has recorded at least 3,754 deaths and over 15,000 injuries due to Israeli fire.

On Monday, airstrikes resumed in the southern suburbs of Beirut following an Israeli warning to residents to evacuate, amid ongoing confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel. Thick clouds of smoke and dust were seen rising from the area after at least two airstrikes, as Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adrei urged residents via X platform to evacuate three buildings in Haret Hreik.

Additionally, Israeli airstrikes targeted the towns of Yahmor Al-Shqif, Al-Jabal Al-Ahmar between Harouf and Shoukin, and Zabidi in southern Lebanon, according to reports by the National News Agency. The heavy Israeli airstrikes in Yahmor Al-Shqif resulted in the destruction of 15 homes. Attacks were also recorded on Arnoun, Kafr Tabnit, Harij Ali Al-Tahir, the vicinity of the Shuqif Castle, and the Litani River between Zawtar and Dirsaryan, as well as three airstrikes on Ain Qana in the Tyre region.

In a separate military operation, an armored Israeli patrol advanced at 5 AM from Shama towards Al-Bayada westward, and after covering several meters, it was targeted by resistance fire, damaging two Merkava tanks, as reported by the National News Agency.

Furthermore, a correspondent for the Lebanese National News Agency in Marjayoun reported that Israeli forces conducted a bombing and explosion operation in the town of Khiam, causing residents to feel strong tremors due to the blast, with shrapnel from the explosion reaching some homes in nearby villages. This was accompanied by heavy artillery bombardment targeting the town's center and bursts of machine gun fire.

The Lebanese agency also reported from the Emergency Public Health Operations Center of the Ministry of Public Health that an Israeli airstrike on Zibaqin, in the Tyre district, resulted in the deaths of three individuals.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.