Ongoing Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Rocket Attacks
October 22, 2024, 2:31 pm

Ongoing Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Rocket Attacks

غارات اسرائيلية (تعبيرية)

Israeli warplanes continue their airstrikes on various areas in Lebanon, while Hezbollah launches rockets towards Israel.

In the latest field developments, the Israeli army announced that it had detected the launch of approximately ten shells from Lebanon toward Israel. In a statement from the army's press office today, Tuesday, it was noted that warning sirens were activated near the town of Neot Miriam in northern Israel. "Shells were detected falling in the area."

Al Arabiya and Al Hadath reporters indicated that rockets were fired at Nahariya and its surroundings in the Galilee region of northern Israel.

Six Israelis were reported injured, some seriously and others moderately, today, Tuesday, due to rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. Israeli Channel 13 reported today: "Three individuals were seriously injured, while three others suffered moderate injuries in the area of Kibbutz Neot Merhavi in Upper Galilee following the bombardment from Lebanon."

The report added that "approximately ten launches from Lebanon towards the area of Neot Miriam were confirmed," while also noting "verification of casualties due to the impacts."

It further mentioned that "warning sirens were also heard in Nahariya and the western Galilee following around 30 launches from Lebanon."

Earlier, the Israeli army announced that its fighter jets targeted the central naval base of Hezbollah in Beirut, in addition to targeting weapons depots and command centers belonging to the group.

In a statement from the army's press office today, Tuesday, it said: "The Israeli Air Force attacked weapons depots" and command centers of Hezbollah, along with other targets in Beirut. The statement continued: "Among the targets attacked in Beirut was the central naval base of Hezbollah, which houses fast military boats and a training center." It pointed out that "the naval vessels (affiliated with Hezbollah) were intended to target Israeli navy ships as well as maritime and strategic targets in Israeli territorial waters."

An airstrike targeted the vicinity of the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon, according to the official National News Agency, following an Israeli evacuation warning.

Earlier today, Israeli warplanes and drones conducted strikes targeting several towns in southern Lebanon. The Israeli warplanes launched attacks on Aita al-Shaab and the towns of Yahmour al-Shuqif and Khyam in southern Lebanon, while an Israeli drone targeted the area between Saksakiya and Srifand in southern Lebanon. This morning, the towns of Khyam and Kfar Kila in the south were subjected to intermittent Israeli artillery fire, and the outskirts of the towns of Aita al-Shaab and Qawzah were fired upon by Israeli army machine guns, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

Residents of Damascus and Its Countryside Turn to Alternative Transportation to Alleviate Commute Crisis Yemeni Journalists Syndicate Expresses Concern Over Abduction of Journalist Mohammed Al-Miyahi by Houthis

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.