Hezbollah Claims Explosives Shipment, US Urges Lebanon to Hold Perpetrators Accountable

Hezbollah acknowledged on Thursday that a shipment of explosives seized by Lebanese authorities last week belongs to the group, stating its intended use was against Israel. This admission followed Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's assertion that the authorities would deal firmly with any illegal weaponry. A judicial source had previously reported that security forces apprehended two men suspected of belonging to Hezbollah in the Dahr al-Baidar area, en route to Syria, with 500 kilograms of explosives. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah confirmed the group's communication with security and judicial bodies, asserting ownership of the vehicle and its contents, which he described as "capabilities" used against Israel, and demanded the immediate release of the detainees. The seized shipment reportedly contained 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of C4. Prime Minister Salam had previously confirmed the seizure of "hundreds of kilograms of explosives" and pledged a thorough investigation to identify all involved parties and their motives. He also stated the government would "deal with the required firmness with any weapon outside the framework of legality." Lebanese President Joseph Aoun informed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the army and security forces are fulfilling their duties in enforcing decisions to prevent armed displays and confiscate weapons. Aoun also stated that judicial bodies are pursuing the cases and that there would be "no leniency with the perpetrators." Rubio, however, told Aoun that returning the explosives to Hezbollah should "not be on the table" and urged the Lebanese president to hold accountable all those who ordered, funded, and managed the shipment. Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar commented that the Lebanese judiciary is independent and will carry out its duty, considering all statements in its investigations. Karim Bitar, a professor at the Paris Institute of Political Science, characterized Hezbollah's unprecedented admission as a calculated political decision aimed at controlling the narrative after being caught in possession. He noted this move complicates the Lebanese government's position, especially in light of Hezbollah's continued rejection of a government decision to disarm the group. President Aoun also discussed with Secretary Rubio "the ongoing Israeli aggressions on southern villages" and requested pressure on Israel to cease these attacks. Prime Minister Salam had previously linked C4 explosives to "a number of notorious political assassinations in Lebanon's modern history," a statement Fadlallah dismissed as a divisive campaign, reiterating that Hezbollah's arsenal is directed exclusively against Israel. David Wood, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, suggested Hezbollah aims to emphasize its continued armed resistance against Israel rather than internal violence.