IDF uncovers Hezbollah bunker with $500 million u der Beirut hospital

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have identified a significant Hezbollah bunker located beneath a hospital in Beirut, reportedly containing over $500 million in gold and cash, according to Times of Israel.

Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, revealed these details during a press conference following a night of airstrikes aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure. “The bunker was deliberately placed under a hospital, and it holds more than half a billion dollars in cash and gold,” Hagari stated, emphasizing the strategic implications of the location.

Hagari criticized Hezbollah’s decision to store such vast resources in a civilian structure, asserting that “that money could have been used to rehabilitate Lebanon, but it went to rehabilitate Hezbollah.” He further noted that Israeli Air Force aircraft are actively monitoring the site and will continue to do so as part of ongoing military operations against the group.

The revelation comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, particularly following a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting financial institutions linked to the militant group. These strikes have included multiple branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a financial entity that has been sanctioned by the United States for its connections to Hezbollah. The IDF claims that these branches are used to finance the group’s military activities, including arms purchases and compensating fighters.

During the press conference, Hagari elaborated on how Iran facilitates financial support to Hezbollah, reinforcing Israel’s commitment to continue targeting the group’s financial operations. The IDF’s strategy aims not only to weaken Hezbollah’s military capabilities but also to address what it perceives as a broader threat to regional stability.

As explosions were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs following the airstrikes, local residents faced heightened anxiety over their safety. The IDF had issued evacuation warnings for those living near targeted sites, leading many to flee their homes amid fears of further attacks.

The ongoing conflict has drawn international attention, with calls for restraint as civilian casualties mount. As Israel intensifies its military campaign against Hezbollah, the implications for Lebanon’s already fragile economy and security situation remain dire. The presence of such a substantial cache of resources beneath a hospital raises ethical concerns about the use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes.