In an Israeli Raid.. "Nasrallah's" Brother-in-Law Killed in Damascus' Mezzeh District
Continued Israeli raids on sensitive sites in the heart of the Syrian capital reveal the weakness of the Syrian air defense system and the inability of Damascus' allies to provide effective protection
October 3, 2024, 3:52 am

غارة إسرائيلية

A huge explosion shook the Mezzeh district in central Damascus Wednesday morning. Al Arabiya/Al Hadath sources revealed that Hassan Jafar Qusayr, the brother-in-law of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli raid. Sources reported that Nasrallah's brother-in-law died immediately upon arriving on Syrian territory.

Qusayr is the brother of Hezbollah's prominent leader Mohammad Jafar Qusayr, who was eliminated on Tuesday in a similar air raid. The Israeli army announced that Mohammad Qusayr was the commander of "Unit 4400" in the party, responsible for transferring weapons and combat equipment from Iran and its allies to Hezbollah.

The Israeli army explained that Mohammad Jafar Qusayr was one of Hezbollah's most prominent leaders and active figures in the Iran-Hezbollah-Syria axis, and was closely connected to Tehran. He also oversaw the implementation of hundreds of operations to transfer strategic combat means to Hezbollah in Lebanon, and led the project to develop precision missiles for the party and enhance its directed firepower against the Israeli home front.

The Syrian regime's official television had earlier announced that Israel targeted a residential building in Damascus, resulting in 3 deaths and 3 injuries. This attack comes just hours after Israeli raids targeted the same neighborhood on Monday evening, killing 3 civilians, including a broadcaster, and injuring 9 others.

It's worth noting that the Mezzeh area in western Damascus, which has witnessed numerous incidents recently, contains many security and military headquarters, in addition to residences of prominent Palestinian and Iranian leaders, as well as a gathering of several embassies and international organizations.

The Mezzeh district extends over an area of 7,750 hectares, with an estimated population of about 90,000 people. The district includes many vital facilities, including the Republican Palace, Mezzeh Military Airport, a number of faculties affiliated with Damascus University, as well as modern commercial centers and sports facilities.

This strategic area has witnessed several notable incidents in the recent past, including the killing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's intelligence chief in Syria and his deputy in an Israeli raid last January.

The repeated Israeli targeting of Hezbollah leaders and their allies in the heart of the Syrian capital highlights the increasing weakness in the Syrian air defense system and poses significant challenges for the regime in Damascus in protecting its territories and allies.

This escalation also indicates a tangible shift in the Israeli strategy, aimed at delivering painful blows to Hezbollah and its supporters outside Lebanese territory, in an attempt to undermine their military and logistical capabilities and end what remains of the so-called "axis of resistance" in the region.

Levant-Agencies

Despite Tehran's Failed Attacks.. Iranian President Repeats Revenge Claims Economic Shocks and the Erosion of the Middle Class in Iran

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.