A Lebanese gunman stormed the Federal Bank of Lebanon in the middle of Beirut on Thursday and grabbed an unknown number of hostages.
According to a report by the local TV channel, the shooter is demanding that the bank release the funds that were blocked for him due to the economic situation in Lebanon.
According to the channel, the gunman wants to withdraw his $210,000 deposit as well as his brother’s $500,000 deposit, both of which have been frozen by the bank since the beginning of the country’s economic crisis in 2019, which has forced banks to limit withdrawals of hard currency. The gunman also wants to withdraw his own $210,000 deposit, which was reportedly frozen by the bank.
According to the broadcaster, the shooter sought to collect some of his money so that he could pay for his father’s medical treatment.
At least two gunshots could be heard coming from within the bank.
Since the latter half of 2019, Lebanon has been struggling to overcome a serious economic crisis, which has resulted in a significant depreciation of the country’s currency as well as major shortages of both fuel and medical supplies.
