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Earth Intelligence

30 Mar 2024 — 4 min read

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Israel vs Hezbollah
Federal Reserve Losses

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Israel vs Hezbollah:

In the past 48 hours, tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have significantly escalated, involving the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in clashes with Israel. The conflict intensified with Hezbollah's heavy rocket attacks on northern Israeli towns, retaliating against Israeli airstrikes that had resulted in the deaths of nine people, including paramedics. This recent outbreak of violence marks the deadliest day in the current conflict, with casualties including 16 Lebanese and one Israeli due to airstrikes and rocket exchanges.
In retaliation, Israel's military has been active, claiming to have eliminated 30 Hezbollah militants over the past week and targeting the group's military infrastructure to deter the Iran-backed organization from the border area. These developments have not only heightened tensions but have also attracted international attention, prompting concerns in Washington and the United Nations about the potential for a wider conflict.
Concurrently, Israel's ongoing engagement with Hamas in the Gaza Strip points to an expansion of regional tensions, now extending to Israel's northern border. This escalation with Hezbollah, alongside the persistent conflict with Hamas, illustrates the growing complexity of the security challenges Israel faces, highlighting the volatile and multifaceted nature of the regional geopolitical landscape.

Federal Reserve Losses:

On a recent announcement, the Federal Reserve disclosed it ended the year 2023 with a substantial loss of $114.3 billion. This record loss primarily stemmed from the costs involved in achieving the Fed's short-term interest rate objectives, marking a significant shift from the $58.8 billion net income reported in 2022. The Federal Reserve has reassured that this financial downturn does not hinder its operational capabilities or its ability to implement monetary policy effectively.
The Federal Reserve is required by law to allocate any excess earnings, after covering its own operating costs, to the U.S. Treasury. The Fed's revenue sources include fees for various financial services it offers and the interest income it earns on its securities holdings. In recent years, particularly when interest rates were very low, and the Fed held a large portfolio of bonds, it saw significant profits. To control the interest rate, the Federal Reserve pays interest to banks, money market funds, and other financial institutions for depositing excess cash with it.
This strategy led to a noticeable increase in the Fed's interest expenses. Specifically, in 2023, the cost of interest on bank reserves surged to $176.8 billion, a considerable rise from $116.4 billion in 2022. Furthermore, the amount paid out through its reverse repurchase agreement facility reached $104.3 billion, up from $41.9 billion the year before, reflecting the financial maneuvers the Fed undertook to manage the economy's interest rates.

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