Israel has alleged that Hezbollah is hoarding hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and gold beneath the Sahel hospital in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Despite making these serious claims, Israeli officials stated they would not target the hospital itself. The director of the Sahel hospital, Fadi Alame, firmly denied the accusations, asserting that they were false.
In support of its claims, Israel released an animated graphic suggesting the existence of a bunker beneath the hospital, previously used to shelter former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli authorities have urged the Lebanese government to seize the purported funds that they claim Hezbollah has misappropriated from the Lebanese populace.
Following these allegations, Israel issued warnings to residents in the Dahiyeh area, advising them to evacuate at least 500 meters from certain buildings in anticipation of impending strikes. Many residents began to flee, and airstrikes commenced shortly after, with powerful explosions resonating throughout Beirut. One of the strikes occurred near the entrance of Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Lebanon's largest public hospital, resulting in at least four fatalities, including a child, and injuring 24 others. The hospital suffered significant damage but continued to operate, tending to victims from the night's assaults.
As first responders searched through the debris, initial casualty figures were expected to rise. Images from the site showed distressing scenes, including individuals injured and trapped in bombed buildings.
The situation has raised concerns regarding the safety of medical facilities in Beirut, particularly after the Israeli claims, reminiscent of similar accusations against Hamas in Gaza. The Lebanese Ministry of Health condemned the attacks, labeling them as part of Israel’s ongoing targeting of the healthcare sector. Reports indicate that at least 115 healthcare workers and emergency responders have died since the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated last year.
This latest wave of violence marks the second consecutive night of heavy bombardment in Beirut, with Israeli forces claiming to have hit over 300 Hezbollah targets within 24 hours. The Israeli military also reported approximately 170 projectiles fired by Hezbollah into Israeli territory on the same day.
Amid these developments, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting Israel and surrounding countries to encourage ceasefire negotiations in Gaza and address the situation in Lebanon.
On Sunday, Israel announced it would begin targeting Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-linked bank that provides interest-free loans to many Lebanese, particularly Shia Muslims. Israel accused the bank of financing Hezbollah activities and storing weapons at its branches. The move indicates an escalation in Israel's focus, shifting from solely military targets to civilian institutions associated with Hezbollah.
Following this announcement, Israel launched multiple airstrikes on Al-Qard Al-Hassan properties across Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. At least ten strikes occurred in Dahiyeh, resulting in significant destruction and the collapse of entire buildings, with fiery plumes visible from the impact sites.
Local officials criticized the strikes, emphasizing that they targeted residential areas rather than military assets. Ma’an Khalil, the mayor of Ghobeiry municipality, remarked, “They struck empty buildings in residential neighborhoods, destroying the surroundings.”
In parallel, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut to discuss ceasefire possibilities with Lebanese leaders. He underscored the importance of adhering to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which aims to govern security dynamics along the Lebanese-Israeli border following the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
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