Lebanese security forces have detained Mahmoud Ayoub, a Hezbollah member and financial director of the Ragheb Harb Hospital in the Nabatiyeh district, on charges of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, sources told Al-Arabiya’s Al-Hadath channel on Monday.

Ayoub was arrested in the town of Harouf, located in the Nabatiyeh district, an area known as a Hezbollah stronghold and recruitment base. According to the sources, his arrest was carried out by the Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch in coordination with Hezbollah’s own security apparatus.

Ayoub’s role as financial manager reportedly gave him access to sensitive information, including the identities of Hezbollah-affiliated patients and their families who receive treatment at the hospital. Sources revealed that Ayoub possessed extensive knowledge of the hospital’s operations spanning several years. 

Further reports indicate that Ayoub might have been part of a network within Hezbollah comprising some 700 full-time members operating in the Nabatiyeh district.

This arrest follows the detention roughly three weeks ago of Mohammad Saleh, a religious singer closely affiliated with Hezbollah, who was also accused of spying for Israel. 

Earlier this month, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported that Lebanese authorities were holding at least 21 suspects accused of espionage for Israel.