Hezbollah Admits Smuggling Explosives to Beirut for Anti-Israel Operations

Hezbollah has openly acknowledged its involvement in transporting prohibited military materials within Lebanon, despite the Lebanese government's efforts to consolidate arms under state control and reserve decisions on war and peace for itself. On October 15, a senior Hezbollah official confirmed the organization's role in transporting explosives, stating that Hezbollah's actions are aimed at defending Lebanon. This admission follows a scandal that erupted in Lebanon concerning a truck seized near Dahr al-Baidar, which contained a large quantity of explosives, sparking speculation about its intended use, including a potential political assassination. Lebanese media had previously reported on Hezbollah's possible connection to the cargo.

On October 12, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam vowed to identify all individuals involved in the incident. On October 15, Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah Member of Parliament, effectively confirmed the organization's connection, stating, "We tried to resolve the issue related to the car, seeking to maintain internal calm in Lebanon. However, certain forces are trying to ignite a conflict that serves only the interests of the enemy." Fadlallah explained that Hezbollah had contacted state authorities after the truck's seizure, identifying the vehicle as belonging to the organization and the materials as intended for confronting Israeli occupation. He also demanded the return of the confiscated materials, identifying the intended users as "well-known people - starting with the leadership of the resistance, its supporters, the families of the martyrs, and the fighters on the front lines."

Fadlallah criticized officials and political parties for amplifying the incident, calling it a "campaign of incitement" that deepens divisions within Lebanon. He warned the Lebanese authorities against actions perceived as implementing an "American agenda," asserting that all Hezbollah's resources are directed solely against Israel. He also deemed the March 2 government decision outlawing Hezbollah's military activities unconstitutional and invalid, vowing that Hezbollah would continue to defend what it considers the rights of the Lebanese people and maintain its arms for confronting Israel. He dismissed suggestions that the explosives were intended for political assassinations as a fabrication aimed at exacerbating internal strife.

According to Lebanese media and a Hezbollah representative cited by Reuters, the explosives were intended for equipping attack drones to be used against Israeli soldiers. Another Hezbollah MP, Ibrahim Mousawi, had previously stated that the resistance had nothing to be ashamed of if the truck belonged to Hezbollah and warned against threats or accusations against the organization. Meanwhile, Syrian authorities, under President Ahmed al-Shar'a, are also working to curb arms smuggling from Syria to Lebanon, attempting to limit Hezbollah's activities and prevent the use of Syrian territory for weapons transfers, despite Hezbollah's official denials of operating in Syria or maintaining cells elsewhere.