Israel Discovers $500 Million in “Secret” Hezbollah Bunker in Beirut

Israel revealed declassified intelligence on Monday, alleging a secret Hezbollah financial hub beneath a Beirut hospital. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the bunker contains hundreds of millions in cash and gold, used to fund Hezbollah’s operations.

The disclosure followed Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, targeting Hezbollah’s financial network. IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari explained that while the bunker under Al-Sahel Hospital wasn’t struck, it holds an estimated $500 million. He suggested the funds could be used to rebuild Lebanon, but Hezbollah uses them for military purposes.

The airstrikes targeted nearly 30 Hezbollah-linked sites, including Al-Qard Al-Hassan (AQAH), a financial firm associated with the group. Both Israel and the U.S. have accused AQAH of serving as Hezbollah’s financial arm, providing access to funds for military activities. Hagari also revealed that an underground vault holding tens of millions in cash and gold was one of the key targets.

These strikes are part of a larger Israeli effort to disrupt Hezbollah’s finances. IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi stated that over 300 strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon were carried out within 24 hours. Al-Qard Al-Hassan, established in the 1980s, has provided loans to Lebanese citizens, but Israeli and U.S. officials claim it’s central to Hezbollah’s money laundering.

In a related event, Israel conducted an airstrike in Syria, killing the head of Hezbollah’s financial unit, Unit 4400. This unit manages Iranian funds flowing to Hezbollah, mainly from oil sales. This marks the second assassination of a top Hezbollah financial figure in recent weeks.

The escalating conflict continues, with Hezbollah launching rocket attacks on Israel in response, further intensifying the tensions since the October 7 attacks. Israel estimates 2,000 Hezbollah fighters have been killed since the conflict’s expansion.