Hezbollah Confirms Ownership of Seized Explosives, Citing Intent to Target Israel
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah admits the group owned hundreds of kilograms of explosives seized by Lebanese forces, intended for use against Israel.
POLICY WIRE — Beirut, Lebanon — A Hezbollah lawmaker confirmed on Thursday that his organization owned the hundreds of kilograms of explosives intercepted by Lebanese security forces last week. The admission comes amid ongoing friction regarding the government’s efforts to disarm the Iran-backed militant group.
Lebanese authorities discovered the explosives-laden vehicle at a checkpoint in the eastern Bekaa region, leading to the arrest of two individuals. While reports on the exact quantity vary, some accounts indicate the shipment contained nearly 800 kilograms of material, while other sources cite 500 kilograms.
Hassan Fadlallah, a representative for Hezbollah, stated that the munitions were intended for operations against Israeli military forces. The group has reportedly demanded the return of the seized items, a move that directly challenges the Lebanese government’s prohibition on the organization’s independent military activities.
The incident has intensified domestic concerns regarding potential political violence and has reinvigorated calls for the disarmament of the group. This development occurs against the backdrop of a broader conflict that began on October 8, 2023, following the October 7 attacks on Israel, which triggered a sustained exchange of fire and widespread displacement across the region.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
