Hidden millions: Hezbollah's clandestine bunker beneath Beirut hospital
- Hezbollah has reportedly constructed a bunker beneath a hospital in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The group is allegedly concealing over CAD 500 million in gold and cash there, announced the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, on Monday at 8:00 PM ET.
22 October 2024 06:11
Israel has accused Hezbollah of hiding over $500 million CAD in gold and cash in a secret bunker under the al-Sahel hospital in southern Beirut, according to the "New York Post."
The spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, explained that the bunker is associated with Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
Hezbollah's private bunker under the hospital
- The bunker was strategically placed under the hospital and contains over half a billion dollars in cash and gold, stated Hagari. - This money could have been used to rebuild Lebanon, but instead, it was used to strengthen Hezbollah, he added.
Hagari mentioned that the bunker is connected to the hospital via a shaft and links to another building just a few metres away.
Nevertheless, IDF does not plan to attack the hospital and even invites the Lebanese authorities to inspect the site.
- I call on the Lebanese government, Lebanese authorities, and international organisations. Do not allow Hezbollah to use this money for terrorism and to attack Israel, urged Hagari.
Evacuation of the hospital, Beirut prepares for another Israeli attack
The director of the hospital, Fadi Alameh, denied the accusations and announced the evacuation of the facility. He also invited the Lebanese army to visit the hospital to refute the IDF's claims.
Meanwhile, another IDF spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, warned Lebanese civilians to leave several districts in southern Beirut. "You are near facilities and interests belonging to Hezbollah, which the Israeli army will soon attack," wrote Adraee on platform X.
IDF accuses Hezbollah of conducting terrorist activities in civilian areas, complicating military operations. Israel has declared its intention to dismantle Hezbollah's financial networks to achieve a long-term defeat and has carried out airstrikes on financial institutions linked to the organisation across Lebanon.
Similar accusations were previously made against Hamas in Gaza, where the IDF claimed the group hides terrorist infrastructure in civilian facilities, such as hospitals.
