Hezbollah claims ownership of explosive-laden vehicle seized by Lebanese army

Lebanon's Hezbollah has asserted ownership of an explosive-laden vehicle seized by the Lebanese military earlier this week. Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah MP, confirmed on Thursday that Hezbollah had notified authorities of its claim to the vehicle upon interception. The device was allegedly intended to oppose the Israeli occupation, with Hezbollah's weapons solely directed at the enemy.

The Lebanese Armed Forces disclosed on Monday that they had intercepted 200kg of explosives, preventing a smuggling attempt from Syria through the Hermel border region. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam vowed a "no leniency" stance in the investigation, warning the government "will not tolerate anyone who dares to toy with the country's security, safety, and stability."

This marks the third such seizure in a short span, as pressure mounts on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah and place all weapons under state control. Hezbollah has steadfastly refused disarmament, stating that talks on the fate of its weapons can proceed only after Israel ceases attacks on Lebanon and withdraws from occupied territories.

Tensions have escalated since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023, with Hezbollah launching missiles at Israel in support of Iran. Israel retaliated with a military campaign that resulted in over 4,000 casualties and destroyed numerous villages in southern Lebanon, which remains under Israeli occupation. Direct US-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon have yielded little progress, with no significant advancement on disarmament or withdrawal.

The seizure of the explosive-laden vehicle has sparked concerns of a resurgence in political assassinations, a dark chapter in Lebanon's recent history. Meanwhile, Hezbollah's spokesperson dismissed Prime Minister Salam's assertions as an "inflammatory campaign aimed at sowing internal discord," asserting that Hezbollah would not be dissuaded from its efforts to defend and liberate their land.

In the 2000s and early 2010s, several high-profile target killings of opponents to the Assad regime in Syria and their Lebanese ally Hezbollah involved explosives. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri was among those killed in a one-ton lorry bomb explosion during a convoy in Beirut on February 14, 2005.