Tehran Disavows Targeting Netanyahu's Headquarters.. Blames Hezbollah
It appears that Iran's attempt to disavow responsibility for the attack aims to avoid direct escalation with Israel, while maintaining its ability to use regional proxies to exert pressure
October 20, 2024, 7:21 pm

Tehran Disavows Targeting Netanyahu's Headquarters.. Blames Hezbollah

"حزب الله" وإسرائيل" \ تعبيرية \ متداول

The Iranian mission to the United Nations reported late Saturday evening that the Lebanese Hezbollah is responsible for the attack targeting the headquarters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The mission emphasized that Tehran has no connection to the operation targeting Netanyahu's home, confirming that it had previously responded to Israel separately.

On the other hand, Israeli media quoted a responsible source claiming that the attempt to target Netanyahu's home with a drone represents an Iranian effort to assassinate him.

This statement comes following an Israeli spokesman's announcement of a drone launch towards the Prime Minister's residence in the town of Caesarea in northern Israel, confirming that Netanyahu was not present at the site during the attack, and no injuries occurred.

In his first comment after the incident, Netanyahu stated: "Nothing can deter us," while the Israeli army clarified that the drone was launched from Lebanon and hit one of the buildings without specifying its identity. The army added that it managed to intercept two additional drones that breached Israeli airspace.

So far, the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group, which has been exchanging fire with Israel since October 2023, has not claimed responsibility for the drone attack, nor has any other armed group claimed the operation.

Israeli Channel 13 reported that the Prime Minister's office confirmed that Netanyahu's home was directly targeted by a drone, noting that Netanyahu and his wife were absent from the location at the time of the attack. Other media outlets reported that the police closed the roads leading to the targeted house in Caesarea.

This incident raises questions about the extent of Iran's involvement in military operations against Israel, and its strategy in using regional proxies to carry out attacks while trying to maintain a safe diplomatic distance. It also highlights the complexities of the security landscape in the region, where the interests and roles of various active parties intertwine.

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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.