Hezbollah says explosives seized by authorities belong to group

Lebanon's Hezbollah has admitted that a 500kg shipment of explosives seized by authorities last week belonged to the group, an unprecedented acknowledgment from the Iran-backed militants. The vehicle and its cargo were found carrying 250kg of TNT and 250kg of the explosive C-4, materials Hezbollah had used against Israel in recent wars since 2023.

Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah MP, confirmed the seizure occurred on a road linking eastern Lebanon to Beirut. He urged for the immediate release of those arrested over the operation and demanded the return of the shipment, which he said represented Hezbollah's capabilities against its adversary.

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared that the state would no longer tolerate possession of illegal weapons. The judicial source told AFP that authorities are identifying all individuals involved in the criminal operation and those who ordered it. The Lebanese people have expressed concern over the seizure, particularly since C-4 has been used in political assassinations in the past.

Hezbollah, which once dominated political life in Lebanon, has seen a decline in influence following two wars against Israel. Since a ceasefire in June, the group has not claimed any further attacks against Israel. However, the Lebanese army has seized two other explosives shipments in the east of the country, near the border with Syria, since the beginning of the month.

As the former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad fell at the end of 2024, Lebanon and Syria have been working together to eradicate smuggling across their shared border.