Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Lebanese woman holds up bank, retrieves deposit to treat ill sister

  • By Al-Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen
  • 14 Sep 2022 17:09
2 Min Read

In a deepening economic crisis, more Lebanese are taking things into their own hands.

  • x
  • Lebanese citizen
    BLOM Bank HQ in Beirut

Lebanese woman Sali Hafiz was able to retrieve around 13,000$ of her trapped deposits after briefly holding up a branch of BLOM bank in Beirut on Wednesday morning.

As the Lebanese economy is facing a deep crisis since 2020, banks have imposed limited withdrawals of hard currency for most depositors, leaving more than 75% of the population struggling to make ends meet and afford even the most basic goods.

Hafiz stated that she needed her savings withdrawn in order to treat her cancer-stricken sister.

"I was begging for money for months, my sister is dying in front of me. The bank is the 1 that robbed us. After begging the bank, they told me that they'll give me $200 max from my own money. That doesn't help w my sister's cancer medication" Sali Hafiz https://t.co/ICy4sVNjGW https://t.co/58xTY6FZIp pic.twitter.com/ePOJNzWAft

— Saad Abedine (@SaadAbedine) September 14, 2022

Read more: Lebanese cancer patients live in fear after drug subsidies lift

Related News

Hezbollah slams media inciting internal strife, calls for awareness

US pressure on Lebanon grows over Resistance disarmament plan

On a live stream on her Facebook page during the event, Sali said, "I came today to claim the deposits for my sister who is dying in the hospital."

"I came to claim my rights," she said.

On a similar event on the same day, Lebanese man Rami Charafeddine barged into MED bank in Aley and retrieved nearly 30,000$ of his deposit before turning himself in to the security forces that escorted him to the local police station.

Lebanon 🇱🇧 depositors hold up bank and take hostages to withdraw savings

Sali Hafez told al-Jadeed TV that the gun she was carrying was a toy

Another depositor M. SH. managed to get $30,000 from a bank in Aley before being arrested by the ISF https://t.co/n4GBunijW8 https://t.co/IvzzRLggjz pic.twitter.com/9LPIvFsXVn

— Saad Abedine (@SaadAbedine) September 14, 2022

It is noteworthy that as public frustration with bank policies increases, more citizens are hailing such actions as heroic and rightful on social media, which was clearly seen in the case of Bassam Al-Sheikh Hussein, a Lebanese man that took a bank hostage in order to retrieve a small part of his savings to pay for his father's surgery.

Read more: World Bank: Lebanon crisis among most severe since 1850s

  • Lebanese government
  • Economic crisis in Lebanon
  • Central Bank of Lebanon
  • Lebanon

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS