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9 clusters · 26 sources · 20 days · First seen · Last updated

Lebanese Cabinet divided over explosives seizure

Overview

Security operations in Lebanon have targeted both narcotics trafficking and the illegal transport of explosives. In early October, Lebanese Internal Security Forces arrested nine individuals across the Mount Lebanon governorate for narcotics offenses. Later in the month, security forces intercepted a vehicle at a checkpoint in Dahr al-Baider containing a large shipment of explosives, including TNT, C4, and metal pellets.

Two individuals linked to Hezbollah were arrested during the seizure. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah admitted during a speech at the Lebanese parliament that the explosives belong to the group, stating they were intended for use against Israeli forces occupying Lebanese territory—specifically for explosive-laden drones—rather than for domestic attacks. Fadlallah has called for the release of the detainees and the return of the confiscated materials.

Following preliminary investigations, Judge Claude Ghanem, the government commissioner at the Military Court, issued two arrest warrants for Hezbollah officials suspected of coordinating the transport.

The incident has escalated into a political crisis within the Lebanese Cabinet. During a session at Baabda Palace, ministers from the Lebanese Forces party withdrew in protest over a decision to delay referring the case to the Supreme Judicial Council. While Justice Minister Adel Nassar intends to re-submit the referral request next week, President Joseph Aoun has expressed a preference for allowing ongoing investigations to conclude first. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed the dispute by emphasizing the principle of the state’s exclusivity over weapons, asserting that the legal authority to carry arms is strictly limited to the Lebanese Army and internal security forces.

Entities

Hezbollah · Lebanon · Hassan Fadlallah · Nawaf Salam · Claude Ghanem

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

  • "On October 8, an Internal Security Forces checkpoint in Dahr al-Baidar seized 562 kg of TNT, 206 kg of C4, and 350 kg of metal pellets."

    vs

    "Security forces seized approximately 500 kilograms of explosives, including 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of C4, at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint."

    The claims provide different specific quantities and compositions for the explosives seized at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint.

  • "The truck was carrying a total of 780 kilograms of explosives."

    vs

    "Security forces seized approximately 500 kilograms of explosives, including 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of C4, at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint."

    The total weight of explosives reported by judicial officials differs (500 kg vs 780 kg).

  • "Lebanese security forces discovered hundreds of kilos of explosives, including TNT and C-4, in a minivan at a Dahr el-Baydar checkpoint on October 5."

    vs

    "Security forces seized approximately 500 kilograms of explosives, including 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of C4, at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint."

    The claims report different seizure dates (October 8 vs October 5) and different vehicle types (truck vs minivan) for the Dahr al-Baidar seizure.

  • "Lebanese security forces discovered hundreds of kilos of explosives, including TNT and C-4, in a minivan at a Dahr el-Baydar checkpoint on October 5."

    vs

    "On October 8, an Internal Security Forces checkpoint in Dahr al-Baidar seized 562 kg of TNT, 206 kg of C4, and 350 kg of metal pellets."

    The claims report different seizure dates (October 8 vs October 5) and different quantities of explosives at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint.

  • "On October 9, the Lebanese Army thwarted a smuggling attempt in the Qasr-Hermel area, seizing rocket projectiles and 24 kg of TNT."

    vs

    "On October 1, the Lebanese Army seized approximately 245 kg of TNT, four explosive devices, and eight detonators during a smuggling attempt from Syria."

    The claims report different dates (October 9 vs October 1) and different quantities of TNT seized during smuggling attempts from Syria.

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Lebanese Cabinet divided over explosives seizure investigation

    Lebanese ministers from the Lebanese Forces party withdrew from a cabinet session following a disagreement over whether to refer a Hezbollah-linked explosives seizure to the Supreme Judicial Council.

  2. [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Lebanon issues arrest warrants for Hezbollah officials over explosives seizure

    Lebanese judges issued arrest warrants for two Hezbollah officials linked to a 500kg explosives shipment seized in October.

  3. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Lebanon divided after security forces seize Hezbollah explosives

    Lebanese security forces seized hundreds of kilos of TNT and C-4 explosives in a minivan. Hezbollah claims the materials are for use against Israel, while political opponents fear domestic misuse.

  4. [INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
    Hezbollah admits ownership of explosives seized in Lebanon

    Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah admitted that hundreds of kilograms of explosives seized in Lebanon's Bekaa region belong to the group and were intended for use against Israeli forces.

  5. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Lebanon investigates explosives seizure at Dahr al-Bidr

    Lebanese authorities are investigating the seizure of explosives at a Dahr al-Bidr checkpoint. Hezbollah has remained silent on the incident despite allegations of affiliation by the detainees.

  6. [CRIME] 2 sources
    Lebanon explosives seizure raises assassination fears

    A major seizure of C-4 and other explosives in Lebanon has reignited fears of political assassinations and highlighted the historical use of high-grade explosives like RDX in past targeted killings.

  7. [INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
    Lebanon seizes 780kg of explosives at Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint

    Lebanese security forces seized 780kg of explosives, including TNT and C4, at a checkpoint, detaining two suspected Hezbollah members. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has ordered a thorough investigation.

  8. [CRIME] 3 sources
    Lebanon security forces seize large quantities of explosives in multiple operations

    Lebanese security forces have seized hundreds of kilograms of TNT and C4 in multiple operations, leading to the detention of two suspected Hezbollah members and heightened fears of political assassination plots

  9. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Security forces dismantle drug trafficking networks in Lebanon and Egypt

    Security forces in Lebanon and Egypt have dismantled drug trafficking rings, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of large quantities of narcotics, including cocaine and 'powder' drugs.

Sources

24-ore.com · al-monitor.com · alaraby.co.uk · almanartv.com.lb · alsadaranews.com · antiguatribune.com · arabic.euronews.com · arabnews.pk · asasmedia.com · ashams.com · cbnlb.com · ch23.com · dailynewslb.com · dominicanrepublicpost.com · elaosboa.com · europesays.com · fakti.bg · janoub360.com · mymotherlode.com · newarab.com · newsday.com · novini247.com · reddenoticias.online · thanhnien.vn · viagemegastronomia.com.br · yemen-window.com

This summary has been updated 14 times: see revision history