Exclusive: MP says al-Qard al-Hassan depositors won't lose a penny
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In a statement to Al Mayadeen, MP Ihab Hamadeh assured all depositors in al-Qard al-Hassan that they would not "lose a penny" following the Israeli aggression on several branches of the institution.
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A branch of the al-Qard al-Hassan Association, in Beirut, Lebanon, on January 20, 2021 (AP)
MP Ihab Hamadeh, a member of the Loyalty to the Lebanese Resistance Bloc, assured depositors in al-Qard al-Hassan that they would not lose any of their funds.
His remarks to Al Mayadeen follow a series of aggressive raids by the occupation on Sunday, which specifically targeted branches of al-Qard al-Hassan financial institution in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Baalbek, and southern Lebanon.
Hamadeh emphasized that the foundation serves all Lebanese citizens and noted its provision of scholarships for 5,000 university students studying abroad. He also highlighted that the attacks on al-Qard al-Hassan coincided with the arrival of the US envoy Amos Hochstein in Beirut.
In a related context, Hamadeh said, rebuking Israeli claims that the foundation is 'Hezbollah's financial arm', saying "al-Qard al-Hassan is a costly institution for us and we do not make any profit from it."
What is al-Qard al-Hassan?
Al-Qard al-Hassan is a social institution focused on providing loans to individuals for specific periods to support their economic needs and services. It was established in 1982 following the Israeli war on Lebanon by Hussein al-Shami.
In recent years, the institution has expanded by opening several branches across most Lebanese regions, operating as a licensed institution under the Lebanese government.
However, the US government has imposed sanctions on the institution as part of the financial siege targeting Hezbollah and its social network. Additionally, it has faced incitement over the years from US media, as well as Western and Arab outlets.
'Israel' targets al-Qard al-Hassan
During the Israeli late-night aggression on Sunday, Lebanese media reported that the al-Qard al-Hassan financial institutions were targeted in Hermel and Baalbek after Israeli evacuation orders were issued for those areas.
Moreover, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported 11 airstrikes on Beirut's Southern Suburb, many aimed at al-Qard Al-Hassan, with one strike landing near the Beirut airport—the main entry point for humanitarian aid to the country.
The NNA further added that the strike in Baalbek targeted a commercial market that housed a building previously used by al-Qard al-Hassan.
