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Israel’s military said it plans to launch a wave of air strikes across Lebanon, which it said would target Hizbollah-affiliated financial institutions as it prepared to dramatically widen its offensive against the militant group.

An Israeli intelligence official said the strikes were intended to attack Hizbollah’s economic “system and strongholds”, with a focus on branches of the al-Qard al-Hassan Association.

The attacks will further exacerbate Lebanese fears that Israel is expanding its offensive against Hizbollah beyond military infrastructure. The Iranian-backed movement is also Lebanon’s dominant political force and has a large network of economic, social and political interests across the country.

Many ordinary Lebanese, particularly from the Shia community, also use the al-Qard al-Hasan (AQAH) financial network, which has branches countrywide.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel was issuing orders to Lebanese people to evacuate areas in Beirut and other parts of the country close to Hizbollah-affiliated financial institutions.

“We will strike several targets in the coming hours and additional targets throughout the night,” he said.

The Israeli intelligence official said Israel would be attacking “different branches of al-Qard al-Hasan all over Lebanon”.

But they hinted that Israel could broaden its campaign against Hizbollah’s financial network, saying the group received funding from Iran through Syria, as well as from Lebanese businesses affiliated to the group and donations from individuals.

“The purpose of these strikes is to target the ability of Hizbollah to function both during the war but also afterwards, to rebuild and to rearm the organisation on the day after, and [to target] the grip Hizbollah has on large parts of the Lebanese society,” the official said.

AQAH, officially a non-profit, was sanctioned by the US in 2007 which said the organisation’s affiliation with Hizbollah allowed the US-designated terror group access to the “international banking system”.

Experts say it is also Lebanon’s largest financial institution: in 2021, then-Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said around 300,000 people had loans with AQAH and said it had provided loans worth $3.7bn to 1.8mn people since being founded in the 1980s. It gained in popularity after Lebanon’s economic crisis left many banks insolvent.

It offers small, interest-free loans in US dollars, backed by a guarantor or by gold deposits. Many people use these loans to pay for school and university fees, weddings and small businesses. It is also one of Hizbollah’s main tools in its patronage networks and social services, which helps sustain its popularity.

Israel stepped up its offensive against Hizbollah last month, initially saying its goal was to push the group back from the Lebanese border to ensure that some 60,000 people displaced by rocket fire from northern Israel would be able to return. But since Israel assassinated Nasrallah, and other top officials in the group, it appears to have expanded its goals, launching air strikes across the country and invading the south.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned this month in a speech that he said was addressed to the Lebanese: “You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza”.

The conflict between Israel and Hizbollah erupted after the Lebanese group fired rockets towards the Jewish state a day after Hamas’s October 7 attack.

Israel’s offensive in Lebanon has killed more than 2,400 people and forced more than 1.2mn to flee their homes, mostly in the past three weeks. Some 80 Israeli civilians and soldiers have been killed by Hizbollah fire in northern Israel and during the ground offensive into southern Lebanon.

Despite the blows to its leadership, Hizbollah has continued to launch drones, rockets and missiles, and last week vowed that “a new and escalating phase in its confrontation” would begin. 

On Saturday it fired a drone that hit a structure in the northern seaside town of Caesarea, where Netanyahu has his private residence, causing the prime minister to accuse the group of trying to assassinate him. His office confirmed the home was targeted but said Netanyahu and his wife were not present and no one was hurt.

THIS is the bargain buy that guarantees to make airport travel so much easier, according to a flight attendant.

Holidaymakers have rushed to get hold of the online deal which could be so useful for frequent flyers they might even make other jetsetters jealous.

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Described as “durable”, “compact” and guaranteed to be your “new go-to travel companion” a flight attendant has revealed the item which reduces stress when carrying various items through an airport.

In fact, the seemingly simple solution allows passengers the chance to “streamline” their luggage handling.

Aly Walansky told Travel and Leisure that the item “let me carry more without physically carrying more”.

Those opting to purchase the item are in luck as Amazon have reduced the original price by 18%.

Available in packs of three from the online selling giant, the luggage strap allows customers to securely fasten their travel pillow, clothing layers or other smaller bags to one item.

They have even been made available in various colours so shoppers have the chance to buy one that suits their personality or match their existing hand luggage.

Priced at just £2.80 an item, those hoping to get away this winter or stock up before next summer will want to get their hands on the travel essential.

Regular late comers to security could even find the item useful so they do not accidentally drop their valuables when making a last minute dash to their boarding gate.

Offering a heavy duty ring and quick release buckle, the item can easily be adapted to your travelling needs.

The pack available on Amazon boasts an anti-rust coating to ensure the design remains sturdy and shiny for stylish shoppers.

Designed for a wide application of uses, the hooks could be used to carry water bottles as well as heavy and bulky items.

Jetsetters are not the only customers who could benefit from purchasing the item as it has been described as great for hiking, cycling and more.

Those concerned about the added weight to their luggage with some airlines enforcing restrictions should not worry too much as the item only weighs 132 grams.

Clued-in passengers may already have the item which was only first made available earlier this year in June.

Sweet treat shoppers have been clearing M&S shelves of this sweet and salty snack that has recently made a return to stores.

Described as ‘divine’ and on offer for just £2.50, the indulgent snack has been made available just in time for the run-up to Christmas.

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Available in-store and online when shopping from Ocado, M&S have offered customers the chance to try out their Milk Chocolate Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Rolls.

Perfect for the festive season, the crunchy snack has been dipped in creamy milk chocolate and has been listed as suitable for vegetarians and as gluten free.

Social media users have been quick to react to a post from one bargain buyer who spotted the delight and shared on Facebook.

The photo has since gained over 5k reactions with a further 5k Facebook users flocking to the comments section.

One user said: “I’ve waited all year for these beauties!!!”

Another wrote: “Oh I love these, I’ve been looking for them.”

Someone else put: “They are delicious xxx”

A fourth commented: “omg! Remember how many times I’ve eating these… so lovely.”

Someone else said: “the way I would eat a whole bag!”

Those hoping to head in-store to make their purchase may want to phone up ahead to avoid disappointment due to stock levels.

Whilst those heading online should consider the added delivery fees.

One bag has been advertised as weighing 175 grams and offers around five servings – if you’re feeling generous.

Party planners and sweet snackers have been offered far more than just the cinnamon treat with M&S revealing their Christmas range.

An incredible list of 450 new items has been unveiled, showcasing the supermarket giant’s finest festive food.

Other indulgent offerings include hot honey over halloumi in blankets, brie brulée and Turkey feast dip.

Shoppers hoping to bring the festive spirit into their home could even purchase a battery-powered snow globe or wind up biscuit tin.

HOT chocolate season has officially arrived.

If you managed to grab Aldi’s Ambiano hot chocolate maker (a budget-friendly dupe of the pricey Hotel Chocolat velvetiser) you are in for a treat.

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But these handy gadgets can do so much more . . . 

MILKSHAKE MASTERPIECE: Turn your hot choc maker into a milkshake machine.

Whip up your drink as you normally would. While it’s blending, fill a chilled glass with ice and pour in 100ml of cold milk.

Once the hot chocolate is ready, pour it over the cold milk and ice. Use a straw to stir the mixture, creating a thick, creamy milkshake.

To take it to the next level, add a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

MARTINI MAGIC: Elevate your cocktail game with a decadent chocolate espresso martini — perfect for dinner parties.

Begin by making hot chocolate in your frother, then pour 50ml of it into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Add a shot of espresso, a shot of vodka and, for an extra touch of indulgence, a nice dash of Irish cream liqueur.

Shake vigorously until well mixed, then strain the cocktail into a martini glass. Dust the top with a little cocoa powder for a professional finish.

DELICIOUS DESSERT: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a rich, velvety chocolate mousse. Warm 100ml of whole milk in the frother, then add two servings of hot chocolate.

Pour the mixture into a dish and pop it in the fridge for a few hours to set. Once chilled, you will have a luxurious, fluffy mousse to feast on.

COOL COFFEE: Why pay for expensive lattes when you can make your own? Just froth up some cold milk while brewing a shot of espresso.

Pour the espresso into a large glass filled with ice, then top it with your frothy milk. You could also add a few spoons of caramel or chocolate syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a tasty autumn twist.

The result? A smooth creamy iced latte, made in the comfort of your home for a fraction of the price.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Businesses and households in major economies are struggling to bounce back from the era of high inflation as precarious growth prospects and political uncertainty weigh on their confidence.

Although economic activity remains relatively firm, confidence indicators have slid sharply or remain stuck in negative territory, according to research for the Financial Times.

The findings of the Brookings-FT Tracking Indexes for the Global Economic Recovery, or Tiger, suggest that sentiment is the global economy’s weak spot.

The US presidential election on November 5 and geopolitical turmoil, including the conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, are all contributing to the downbeat sentiment.

“There is this sense of gloom and uncertainty,” said Eswar Prasad, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “Confidence indicators are doing very poorly in countries that are doing well — as well as countries that are not doing so well.”

The findings come as policymakers and economists prepare to gather for the IMF and World Bank’s annual meetings in Washington in the coming week.

Speaking ahead of the meetings, Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s managing director, warned the fund’s forecasts point to an “unforgiving combination of low growth and high debt — a difficult future”.

She stressed the need for governments to tackle their fraying public finances, but warned the tough economic backdrop could hobble efforts at reducing debt levels.

The IMF will next week update its global growth forecasts, after predicting a global expansion of 3.2 per cent in 2024 and 3.3 per cent in 2025 in its July report. While the world is moving past its once-in-a-generation inflationary shock, there would be a lasting legacy on household incomes given the jump in prices, Georgieva warned.

While indicators of real economic activity have risen in the US and China, confidence has taken a sharp knock and remains well below its long-term levels, the twice-yearly index suggests. Confidence has also been hit in Japan and Germany.

Prasad said the fragility of confidence indicators reflected not only anxiety about whether the recovery would last, but also political uncertainty and the shadow of “festering geopolitical instability in many hotspots”.

This came despite the fact that the US and Indian economies, in particular, are still in “high gear”, according to the index.

Indicators for other major economies — including Germany — are far less buoyant. The real activity indicator for Germany is now at its lowest since 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic forced economies to lock down across the world, with confidence also well below its long-term level in the eurozone’s largest economy.

Germany is facing its first two-year recession since the early 2000s after the government on October 9 downgraded its 2024 growth forecast.

Some confidence levels in the UK have increased, according to the Tiger index, even as business leaders await clarity on economic policies from chancellor Rachel Reeves in her long-awaited budget on October 30.

Data visualisation by Keith Fray