Hezbollah Admits Ownership of Seized Explosives, Denies Assassination Plot
Hezbollah confirms a truck carrying 780kg of explosives seized by Lebanese authorities was intended for use against Israeli forces, not domestic targets.
POLICY WIRE — Beirut, Lebanon — A representative for Hezbollah confirmed on Thursday that a vehicle intercepted by Lebanese security forces last week containing a significant cache of explosives belonged to the militant organization.
Judicial authorities reported that the truck, stopped at a checkpoint on the highway connecting Beirut to the Bekaa Valley, was loaded with 780 kilograms of explosives. This total included 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of C-4 plastic explosives, prompting an immediate investigation and the arrest of two individuals.
The discovery sparked widespread public speculation regarding potential assassination attempts against domestic political rivals. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam noted that C-4 has been linked to several infamous political assassinations throughout Lebanon’s modern history.
Hassan Fadlallah, a member of the Hezbollah parliamentary bloc, dismissed these claims as baseless. He stated that the materials were intended exclusively for use against the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon, adding that the group has formally requested the release of the two detainees and the return of the shipment.
This incident underscores the deepening friction between the Lebanese government and the Iran-backed group. While the government declared all Hezbollah military operations illegal in March following a rocket attack on Israel, the organization continues to reject this mandate, labeling the government’s decision as null and void.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
