Israel’s military says it has discovered 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 Israel Defense Forces shows a 3D illustration of Al-Sahel Hospital in Beirut and what it claims are secret underground rooms where the terrorist group is allegedly hoarding money.
The IDF claims the huge 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 for fear that the IDF would attack it following last night’s announcement.
But IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari insisted that while the Israeli Air Force is “monitoring the complex,” it “will not attack the hospital itself.”
The hospital is located in the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, in an area known to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
The Israel Defense Forces released a video last night showing the Beirut hospital and where they claim the underground bunker is below.
Israel said the bunker could be accessed from an adjacent building.
The IDF “money bunker” illustration shows a vault containing gold and cash.
The IDF graphic suggests that there is a network of rooms beneath the Beirut hospital.
The hospital is located in the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, in an area known to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
The hospital director said Israel’s accusations are “false” and insists that Hezbollah has not used the facilities.
“This hospital is private and not affiliated with any entity,” Fadi Alameh told reporters.
‘It was built 42 years ago and there is no possibility of it having a bunker or any hiding place. “The hospital is open to anyone who wants to verify this matter,” he said.
Alameh added that the only underground areas were rooms used as operating rooms.
He invited the Lebanese army to visit the site and check if there was a Hezbollah bunker.
Journalists today were given a tour and allowed to walk through the hospital, including to the underground levels, where they said they saw only medical facilities.
The IDF responded to the tour, claiming that the journalists had not been granted access to the secret bunkers and had only been shown protection.
Addressing journalists, IDF Arab spokesman Colonel Avihai Adrei said: ‘Enter the places we exposed and do not waste time on spectacles inside the medical rooms. Go down to the Hezbollah bunker.
A photograph taken during a press tour organized by the Sahel Hospital administration shows the hospital facilities in Beirut, Lebanon.
An image shows a morgue on one of the lower levels of the hospital.
A photograph taken during a press tour of the hospital shows people near the entrance.
The hospital director said the only underground areas were rooms used as operating rooms.
He added an address that he said was the entrance to the dungeon 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 Syria, Yemen and Türkiye, which provide “revenue for its terrorist operations.”
He added that the influx of cash and gold from this network “devalues the Lebanese pound.”
He said the huge funds allegedly stored beneath the hospital “could have been used to rebuild Lebanon, but are instead being used to rebuild Hezbollah.”
He also issued a warning to Hezbollah, saying: “The Israeli air force is monitoring the compound.”
Daniel Hagari said in his statement that Hezbollah has factories that provide “revenue for its terrorist operations.”
“We call on Lebanese citizens, the Lebanese government and international organizations: do not allow Hezbollah to store money under hospitals,” he added.
The IDF shared the claim as it continues to attack Hezbollah’s financial wing, Al-Qard Al-Hassan, with attacks on 30 facilities associated with it since Sunday.
Hagari said one of the main targets was an underground vault containing “tens of millions of dollars in cash and gold” that had been “deliberately located” beneath a residential building.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday night: ‘Degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities requires both a military and economic campaign. “We are destroying the terrorist organization’s ability to launch and purchase missiles.”
“Hezbollah’s bank is used to purchase weapons, pay terrorists’ salaries, and keep Hezbollah’s terrorist machinery running.”
