The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have declassified intelligence revealing that Hezbollah, the powerful Lebanon-based militant group, is allegedly hiding millions of dollars in cash and gold in a secret bunker located beneath Al-Salel Hospital in Beirut. IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari made the announcement, presenting the intelligence as part of Israel’s ongoing effort to expose Hezbollah’s financial operations and its use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
The declassified information points to a bunker system that reportedly stores large sums of cash and gold used to finance Hezbollah’s activities. According to the IDF, the bunker is situated directly underneath the hospital, a location intended to deter attacks and scrutiny due to the international protection granted to medical facilities under the laws of armed conflict.
Rear Admiral Hagari emphasized that Hezbollah’s decision to store illicit resources beneath a hospital is part of a broader strategy to exploit civilian areas for military purposes, thereby endangering innocent lives. “This is yet another example of how Hezbollah operates with total disregard for the Lebanese people,” Hagari said during the briefing. “They hide their assets and operations behind human shields, knowing that international law protects hospitals and civilian sites.”
The IDF did not disclose specific operational plans concerning the alleged bunker, but Hagari’s remarks suggest that Israel could escalate its military efforts against Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure. Israel has long accused Hezbollah of using civilian sites, including schools, hospitals, and residential buildings, as cover for its military activities, which it says violates international law.
The disclosure comes as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah remain high, with ongoing Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah-related infrastructure in Lebanon. Israeli officials assert that Hezbollah’s use of civilian facilities, including this newly exposed bunker, complicates military efforts and increases the risk of collateral damage during strikes.
Hezbollah has yet to respond to the IDF’s claims, but in the past, the group has denied using civilian infrastructure for military purposes and has accused Israel of fabricating information to justify attacks on Lebanon.
The international community is closely watching developments, with human rights organizations expressing concern over the potential implications for civilians should Israel target the alleged bunker. Under international law, hospitals and medical facilities are protected from military operations unless they are being used for military purposes, at which point they may lose their protected status.
As Israel continues to declassify information about Hezbollah’s operations, the focus will likely shift to how the international community reacts to the increasing militarization of civilian areas in Lebanon. For now, the revelation adds yet another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon.
