Hezbollah claims confiscated truck of explosives, but denies assassination plans

A Hezbollah official acknowledged that a truck seized by Lebanese authorities last week belonged to the group, carrying 780 kg of explosives intended for use against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The group denied allegations that the explosives were part of an assassination plot against domestic opponents. The seizure has sparked public debate amid pressure on Hezbollah to disarm.

A Hezbollah official acknowledged Thursday that a truck full of explosives seized by Lebanese authorities last week belonged to the terror group, and said the explosives were intended for use against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The truck, stopped at a checkpoint on the highway linking Beirut with the Beqaa Valley, was carrying 780 kilograms of explosives, including 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of C-4 plastic explosives, according to judicial officials. Two men were arrested. The seizure generated heated public discussions, with many accusing Hezbollah of planning assassinations of domestic opponents at a time when the group is under increasing pressure to disarm. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam noted that C-4 explosives had been used in several "infamous political assassinations in Lebanon's modern history." In a statement, Hassan Fadlallah, a member of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, acknowledged the truck was transporting materials for the group and called the assassination allegations "baseless." The incident highlights growing tensions between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. In March, the government declared all military activities by the Iran-backed group "illegal" after Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israeli communities, triggering a war that has killed nearly 4,000 people in Lebanon and resulted in Israeli forces occupying a large swath of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has refused to recognize the government decision. Under a US-brokered deal, Beirut has vowed to disarm Hezbollah in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal, but Hezbollah has refused to disarm as long as Israeli forces remain on Lebanese land.