Lebanon seizes Hezbollah-linked explosives, sparking fears of new political assassination wave

Lebanese forces seized 500 kg of explosives from a vehicle at a checkpoint in Dahr al-Baidar in the Bekaa Valley late last week. A judicial source told AFP the haul comprised 250 kg of TNT-type explosives and 250 kg of C4; two suspects arrested were identified as Hezbollah members. The seizure fueled speculation about political assassinations and renewed calls to disarm Hezbollah.

Lebanese forces seized hundreds of kilograms of explosives from a vehicle at a checkpoint in Dahr al-Baidar in the Bekaa Valley late last week, according to statements by Lebanese officials. A judicial source told Agence France-Presse that the military seized 250 kilograms of TNT-type explosives and 250 kilograms of C4, and that one suspect was the son of a Hezbollah official while the other was also a member of the group. Their identities were not revealed; MTV Lebanon reported the suspects were born in 1981 and 1991. The explosives were reportedly being transported to Beirut. Al-Hadath reported the two suspects admitted receiving the explosives from Hezbollah commander Sayyed Sajeed in Baalbek and were instructed to move them to Beirut's southern suburbs. According to Al-Hadath, the shipment contained nails and metal balls, suggesting design for maximum damage in assassination operations. The explosives were transferred to Lebanese military custody. The seizure fueled speculation about potential political assassinations and renewed calls to disarm Hezbollah, which has refused to comply with Beirut's March decision to ban the group from military activities. Justice Minister Adel Nasser said on X that disarmament of illegal weapons and pursuit of lawbreakers is "an irreversible path." Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel linked the shipment to the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, which killed 22 people and wounded more than 200. Lebanese Forces lawmaker Ziad Hawat called for banning Hezbollah's activities if involvement is proven. Earlier this month the Lebanese military thwarted a separate attempt from Syria to bring in 245 kg of TNT, four IEDs and detonators.