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Hezbollah and Israel.. Dramatic Escalation and Targeting of Strategic and Sensitive Areas
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Targeting vital and sensitive areas on both sides reflects an unprecedented escalation in the intensity of the confrontation, significantly undermining any potential diplomatic efforts to contain the

The military confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel witnessed an unprecedented dramatic escalation on Saturday, with the expansion of mutual targeting to include strategic and sensitive areas in both countries, threatening to turn the conflict into a comprehensive regional war.
In a notable development, Hezbollah announced a series of rocket attacks targeting vital areas in northern Israel. The party stated that it shelled the strategic city of Safed, in addition to targeting a military base near Haifa with what it described as a "large, qualitative rocket salvo." Hezbollah also targeted the Krayot area north of Haifa, in a clear indication of expanding its military operations.
In response, the Israeli army significantly escalated its operations, launching airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, a development that is the first of its kind since the start of the current confrontations. It also targeted the "Jounieh Highway" area for the first time, indicating a dangerous expansion in the scope of Israeli military operations inside Lebanese territory.
The Israeli army revealed that at least 115 projectiles were launched from Lebanon towards northern Israel, resulting in casualties among Israeli civilians. Israeli emergency services announced the death of a man about 50 years old near the city of Acre, in addition to nine others injured to varying degrees in the areas of Haifa and Western Galilee.
In a prominent military development, the Israeli army announced the assassination of Nasser Abdul Aziz Rashid, deputy commander of Hezbollah operations in the Bint Jbeil area in southern Lebanon, indicating an escalation in targeting the party's military leadership.
Amidst this dangerous escalation, a report issued by the Disaster Risk Management Unit in the Lebanese Council of Ministers revealed horrific figures for human losses. The death toll from Israeli raids on Lebanon since the beginning of the conflict on October 8, 2023, has risen to 2,418 dead, while the total injuries reached 11,336, figures that reflect the scale of destruction and humanitarian tragedy Lebanon is experiencing.
This dramatic escalation comes at a time when international fears are increasing about the possibility of the entire region sliding into a spiral of comprehensive violence. Targeting vital and strategic areas on both sides significantly undermines any chances for de-escalation in the near term and threatens to undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at containing the crisis.
With the tragic rise in the number of civilian casualties, international pressure is increasing to stop this dangerous escalation. However, these heavy human losses may simultaneously push both parties towards more revenge and escalation, creating a vicious cycle of violence that is difficult to escape from.
Levant-Agencies
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
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.
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