ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - August 19, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - August 19, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• About 98 Percent of Chinese Banks Refuse to Accept Russian Payments
• Israel-Hezbollah Hostilities Continue with Hezbollah Drones Intercepted in Golan Heights and Israeli Drone Strike Reported in Tyre
• U.N. Body Publishes Preliminary Report on Unrest in Bangladesh

About 98 Percent of Chinese Banks Refuse to Accept Russian Payments

Ninety-eight percent of Chinese banks reportedly refuse to accept payments from Russia due to the threat of Western sanctions. Chinese banks have been distancing themselves from Russian clients since December 2023, when the United States warned it would impose secondary sanctions on any entity doing business with sanctioned Russian firms. While the threat of Western sanctions has hampered traditional trade operations between Russia and China, trade between the two countries is unlikely to slow significantly. Both countries are reportedly working on maintaining trade while avoiding Western sanctions, such as payments via third countries or Hong Kong, cryptocurrency, and barter trades. These new methods may complicate trade logistics and impose additional costs, but allow Russia and China to continue trade.

Israel-Hezbollah Hostilities Continue with Hezbollah Drones Intercepted in Golan Heights and Israeli Drone Strike Reported in Tyre

The Israeli air space in the Golan Heights faced two Hezbollah-operated drones. While one drone was intercepted, the other impacted near Kele village, with no casualties reported. There were reports of rocket fire from Lebanon in the Zar'it area of Upper Galilee, with no casualties. On the same day, an Israeli drone strike reportedly targeted the city of Tyre, Lebanon, with no information available regarding casualties. An Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese city of Aitaroun, with one dead and one wounded as a result.

U.N. Body Publishes Preliminary Report on Unrest in Bangladesh

A report by the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office reveals that over 600 people, including at least 30 children, were killed between July 16 and August 11 during the recent unrest in Bangladesh. In the aftermath of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, the interim government has urged people to refrain from attacking people belonging to religious minorities and emphasized unity. While witnesses and local media reported attacks on minority homes and temples, there have also been reports of disinformation campaigns exaggerating targeted attacks on minority organizations.