Lebanon charges 13 over confiscated Hezbollah explosives

Lebanon's Military Court has charged 13 Hezbollah members over the seizure of half a tonne of explosives from a vehicle en route to Beirut. Among those charged are eight members by name, including vehicle occupants Ali Al Kurdi and Haitham Amhaz, along with five others known only by aliases. The two detained individuals are the only ones currently held by authorities.

Charges include endangering state security, disregarding government orders, affiliation with a banned organization, and possession of firearms and explosives. A penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment is possible for these alleged offenses. The explosives seizure at a checkpoint in Dahr Al Baidar, Bekaa Valley, earlier this month sparked outrage in Lebanon, where large swathes of the south remain under Israeli occupation.

Hezbollah demanded the release of its operatives and the return of the 250kg TNT-type and 250kg C4 explosives, claiming they were intended for use against the Israelis, with whom the Iran-backed group has fought numerous conflicts since 1982. The government, however, refuses to hand over the explosives or cease the investigation.

This development has further escalated tensions with Hezbollah, who have harshly criticized the government's efforts to disarm the group and its negotiations with Israel. The situation is expected to intensify, with some cabinet ministers advocating for the case to be heard by the Judicial Council, overseeing national security trials.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged President Joseph Aoun to prevent the return of the seized explosives, despite Hezbollah's demands.