The Israeli military claims it has uncovered a Hezbollah bunker containing “at least $500 million in cash and gold” that it says was “deliberately” placed beneath a hospital.
A video released by the Israeli military shows a 3D illustration of Beirut’s Al-Sahel Hospital and what it claims are secret underground chambers where the terror group is allegedly hoarding money.
The IDF claims the vast wealth was funneled into Lebanon as part of a deal between Iran and late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and would be used to finance “terrorist operations.”
Panicked staff and patients were evacuated from the hospital amid fears it would be targeted by the IDF following the announcement last night.
But IDF spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari stressed that while the Israeli Air Force is “monitoring the compound,” it “will not attack the hospital itself.”
The hospital is located in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, in an area known as a Hezbollah stronghold.
The Israeli military released a video last night showing the Beirut hospital and what it claims is the underground bunker underneath
Israel said the bunker was accessible from an adjacent building
A safe containing gold and cash is depicted in the IDF’s illustration of the ‘money bunker’
The IDF image suggests there is a network of rooms beneath the Beirut hospital
The hospital is located in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, in an area known as a Hezbollah stronghold.
The hospital’s director said Israel’s accusations are “false” and insists the facility has not been used by Hezbollah.
“This hospital is private and not affiliated with any entity,” Fadi Alameh told reporters.
‘It was built 42 years ago and there is no way there is a bunker or a shelter in it. The hospital is open to anyone who wants to verify this case,” he said.
Mr Alameh added that the only underground areas were rooms used as operating theatres.
He invited the Lebanese army to visit the site and search for the Hezbollah bunker.
Journalists were given a tour today and were allowed to walk through the hospital themselves, including to the underground floors, where they said they only saw medical facilities.
The IDF hit back at the tour, claiming the journalists were not given access to the secret bunkers and were only led to wards.
IDF Arab spokesman Colonel Avihai Adrei told journalists: “Enter the places we have uncovered and do not waste your time showing off in the medical wards. Go to the Hezbollah bunker.”
A photo taken during a press tour organized by the Sahel Hospital administration shows hospital facilities in Beirut, Lebanon
A photo shows a morgue on one of the lower floors of the hospital
A photo taken during a press tour of the hospital shows people at the entrance
The hospital director said the only underground spaces were rooms used as operating rooms
He added an address that he said was the entrance to the lock and told them to “go there.” Israel’s claims have not been verified.
Hagari said in his statement last night that Hezbollah has factories in Lebanon, as well as in Syria, Yemen and Turkey, which “provide income for its terrorist operations.”
He added that the influx of cash and gold from this network is “devaluing the Lebanese pound.”
He said the huge funds allegedly stashed under the hospital “could have been used to rebuild Lebanon, but instead they are being used to rebuild Hezbollah.”
He also warned Hezbollah, saying: “The Israeli Air Force is monitoring the compound.”
Daniel Hagari said in his statement that Hezbollah has factories that “generate revenue for its terrorist operations”
“We call on Lebanese citizens, the Lebanese government and international organizations – do not allow Hezbollah to keep money under hospitals,” he added.
The IDF shared this claim as it continues to target Hezbollah’s financial wing, Al-Qard Al-Hassan, with attacks on 30 facilities linked to it since Sunday.
Hagari said one of the main targets was an underground vault containing “tens of millions of dollars in cash and gold,” which had been “deliberately” placed beneath a residential building.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday evening: ‘Reducing Hezbollah’s capabilities requires both a military and an economic campaign. We are destroying the terrorist organization’s ability to launch and purchase missiles.”
“Hezbollah’s bank is used to buy weapons, pay terrorists’ salaries and keep Hezbollah’s terror machine running.”