Israel claims Hezbollah is hiding cash, gold in Beirut hospital's bunker
Tel Aviv/Beirut: The Israeli military has claimed that Hezbollah is storing hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and gold inside a bunker beneath the Al-Sahel hospital in Beirut. However, the military assured that it will not target the facility, despite ongoing airstrikes on Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesperson, stated during a televised briefing that intelligence gathered over years suggests the bunker was built by Hezbollah's former leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, before his death last month. Hagari alleged that the bunker is equipped to sustain extended stays and houses significant financial resources intended to fund attacks on Israel. He urged the Lebanese government and international organizations to intervene, warning that these assets could fuel terrorism.
Fadi Alameh, a Lebanese lawmaker from the Amal Movement and director of Al-Sahel hospital, dismissed the claims as baseless and defamatory. He invited the Lebanese Army to inspect the hospital, asserting that it contains only medical facilities, patients, and a morgue. Alameh also confirmed that the hospital is being evacuated as a precaution.
Reuters could not independently verify Israel’s claims, and Hezbollah has not yet responded to the allegations.
Meanwhile, Israel's military chief, Herzi Halevi, informed soldiers stationed in Lebanon that between Sunday and Monday, the Israeli Air Force had struck around 30 sites linked to Al-Qard al-Hassan, which Israel identifies as Hezbollah’s financial arm. Hagari added that these operations would continue, targeting Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure, though the hospital itself will not be attacked.
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Adani Group emerges lowest bidder for Bengaluru’s 16.75-km tunnel road project
Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.
M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.
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In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.
During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.
According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.
With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.
The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.
The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.
The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.
As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.
