Heavily armed individuals in front of Dar el-Amal hospital, Bekaa, Lebanon, June 14, 2023. (Screenshot of a video. Courtesy of Sarah Abdallah)
BEIRUT — The Lebanese Army said Wednesday that it shot and killed the leader of a gang suspected of killing three soldiers during a clash in the area of Haour Taala, in the Bekaa, back in February.
In a statement, the Lebanese Army said it killed the gang leader, Z.M., during a Wednesday raid also near Haour Taala. That raid later escalated into a clash near the Dar al-Amal hospital in the Baalbeck region, according to a security source.
The army said the gang was transporting Z.M. to the hospital after the raid. When the army learned of the gang's presence at the hospital, the army surrounded the premises.
In response, one of the gang members inside the hospital tried to take hostages, prompting a clash with army soldiers.
Several of the gang members were ultimately arrested and their weapons and ammunition were seized, according to the army.
The suspects will be investigated by the relevant judiciary and the remaining gang members are being pursued, the army added.