Southern Lebanon… Tel Aviv Responds Militarily to Rocket Fire
The latest escalation along the Lebanese border highlights the fragile security situation and the potential for renewed military confrontations despite previous diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensi
March 22, 2025, 7:23 pm

Southern Lebanon… Tel Aviv Responds Militarily to Rocket Fire

جنوب لبنان

Security conditions along the Lebanese-Israeli border deteriorated on Saturday following an exchange of fire between both sides. Israel announced a military escalation in response to rockets launched toward its territory, while the Lebanese government reaffirmed its rejection of any actions that threaten regional stability.

The Israeli army reported that it successfully intercepted three out of five rockets fired from Lebanese territory toward the border town of Metula, marking the first such incident in over three months. The other two rockets fell within Lebanon without causing casualties, according to The Times of Israel. In retaliation, Israeli artillery targeted positions in southern Lebanon.

The shelling expanded, with Israeli artillery striking the towns of Houla, Markaba, and Yuhmur al-Shaqif. This was followed by Israeli airstrikes targeting several southern regions, including Toul, Beit Lif, and Iqlim al-Tuffah, resulting in one fatality and three injuries in Toul.

Israeli warplanes also bombed Mount Safi, the outskirts of Kafr Houna, Jabal al-Rafi, and areas near the towns of Sijud, Ain Qana, and Bsaliya in Jezzine, as well as Barakat al-Jabour in Kafr Jouna.

Lebanese media reported that ten Israeli shells landed in the areas of Yuhmur al-Shaqif, Arnoun, and Kfar Tibnit. Meanwhile, sirens sounded at UN peacekeeping (UNIFIL) sites in Deir Seryan and Adchit. Israeli forces stationed at Tell al-Hamames fired towards Markaba and Houla amid intense aerial reconnaissance over the eastern sector.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had ordered airstrikes on dozens of targets inside Lebanon, holding the Lebanese government responsible for any military operations originating from its territory. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that "any attack on Metula will be met with an attack on Beirut."

In response, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam cautioned against the risks of escalating military operations on the southern border, warning of potential consequences for national stability. During a call with Lebanese Defense Minister General Michel Mansi, he stressed the need for clear security measures to ensure that the state retains control over decisions of war and peace.

Salam also held discussions with UN Secretary-General’s personal representative in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, emphasizing the importance of intensifying international efforts to pressure Israel into withdrawing its military presence from certain Lebanese areas, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the commitments made by the previous Lebanese government.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concerns over the possibility of further escalation, warning that continued military operations could have severe consequences for regional stability. In an official statement, UNIFIL urged all parties to exercise restraint to preserve the calm achieved in recent months.

Despite the ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. on November 27, the Israeli military continues to launch airstrikes on various areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah-affiliated sites. In this context, the Israeli army announced that it had carried out an airstrike on an underground military facility in the Bekaa Valley, along with missile launch sites in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese media confirmed that multiple airstrikes hit areas in Baalbek, the towns of Janta and Taraya, as well as Jbaa in the south, amid growing military tensions between the two sides.

Although the deadline for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon expired on February 18 under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces still control five strategic positions along the border, allowing them to monitor movements in nearby Lebanese areas, according to media reports.

U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, stated that Washington is working through three diplomatic groups to resolve outstanding issues between Lebanon and Israel, including the Israeli withdrawal from the five remaining positions.

As tensions continue to rise, the United Nations remains engaged in diplomatic efforts to contain the situation, amid warnings of its humanitarian impact. According to UN reports, over 92,000 people remain internally displaced in Lebanon due to extensive damage in southern and eastern regions.

In Pursuit of a Demilitarized Zone in Southern Syria… Israeli Strikes Target Military Bases Speaking About Her Denial… Sulaf Fawakherji Reveals Death Threats After Assad’s Fall

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.