Soldiers from the IDF's Givati Brigade found Hezbollah terrorists operating out of a government hospital in Bint Jbail, southern Lebanon, the military announced on Sunday.
The soldiers, operating under the military's 98th Division, identified terrorists who opened fire at IDF soldiers from hospital windows. The military killed an unspecified number of the terrorists operating within the hospital, as well as approximately 20 additional terrorists operating in the vicinity, the military stated.
The soldiers found a Hezbollah weapons cache located within the hospital after raiding the building following a firefight.
"Hezbollah systemically and continuously used the hospital complex and its immediate surroundings for the terror organization's military needs, in severe violation of international law," the military said.
The hospital complex was used to transfer and store weapons, while terrorists used the facilities as observation posts, hiding places, and sheltered locations, the military added.
"Hezbollah systemically uses medical facilities and ambulances for military purposes, violating international law and endangering the civilian population," the military said, adding that it made it clear to Lebanese authorities that Hezbollah's usage of hospitals in Lebanon must cease.
IDF beseiges Bint Jbail, preventing Hezbollah reinforcement of major southern Lebanon town
This comes amid reports in Israeli media that the IDF is besieging the town of Bint Jbail, which is one of the largest population centers on the Lebanese side of the border.
This measure was taken in order to prevent Hezbollah terrorists embedded within the town from being able to reinforce or escape.
The siege includes setting up roadblocks, deploying observation posts around the town, and sending aircraft to collect intelligence.
Additionally, other IDF operations are taking place within the town, including widespread attacks, according to Walla.
Officers from the IDF's Northern Command noted that Hezbollah has established an extensive military infrastructure within Bint Jbail, including combat positions, command centers, ammunition depots, and underground weapon and rocket launcher stores.
The town holds a symbolic position within Hezbollah's organization as it was the location where then-secretary general Hassan Nasrallah described Israel as weaker than a spider web during a speech in 2000 amid the IDF's withdrawal from occupying southern Lebanon.
Amir Bohbot contributed to this report.