Hezbollah Claims Explosives Shipment Seized in Lebanon Was Destined for Israel

Hezbollah acknowledged on Thursday that an explosives shipment seized by Lebanese authorities last week belongs to the group, stating its intended use was against Israel. This admission follows Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's assertion that authorities would deal firmly with any illegal weaponry.

Lebanese judicial sources reported that security forces apprehended two men suspected of belonging to Hezbollah in the Dahr al-Baidar area, on the international road between Beirut and the Syrian border, while they were transporting 500 kilograms of explosives. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah confirmed in a televised statement that the party had contacted security and judicial bodies since the car's detention, informing them that "the car and its cargo belong to the resistance." He added that Hezbollah demanded "the immediate release of the detainees and the return of the car and its contents," as they represent "capabilities" used by the party against Israel. The judicial source specified that the shipment included 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of the highly explosive C4.

Prime Minister Salam had previously stated on Monday that "hundreds of kilograms of explosives" were seized and pledged a firm investigation to identify all involved and their motives. He emphasized that his government would deal decisively with any weapon outside the framework of legality. Lebanese authorities have intercepted three explosive shipments from the east of the country since early October.

Separately, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the army and security forces are fulfilling their duties in enforcing decisions to prevent armed displays, confiscate weapons, and combat smuggling. Aoun stated that actions taken in recent days fall within this framework and assured that judicial bodies are pursuing the cases, with no leniency for perpetrators.

Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar commented before a cabinet session that "there is a Lebanese state and a Lebanese judiciary" and that the judiciary is independent and will perform its duty. He added that any statements made would be considered in the investigations to identify the instigator and owner of the explosives.

Karim Bitar, a professor at the Paris Institute of Political Science, described Hezbollah's unprecedented admission as a calculated political decision aimed at controlling the narrative before its opponents, especially after being caught in the act. Bitar linked this admission to Hezbollah's continued rejection of the government's August 2025 decision tasking the Lebanese army with disarming the group, stating it places the Lebanese government in a difficult position.

President Aoun also discussed with Secretary Blinken "continued Israeli aggressions on southern villages and towns" and called for pressure on Israel to cease these attacks and adhere to the framework agreement. Prime Minister Salam had noted that C4 explosives have been used in "several notorious political assassinations in modern Lebanese history." Fadlallah responded that the Prime Minister's attempt to link the incident to assassination preparations is a divisive campaign, reiterating that the resistance's weapons are exclusively directed against the Israeli enemy. David Wood, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, suggested Hezbollah aims to emphasize its armed resistance against Israel rather than internal violence against opponents.