Lebanon’s Army Reports Deadly Blast at Weapons Depot
BEIRUT, Lebanon: A tragic explosion at a weapons storage site near the Israeli border has resulted in the deaths of six Lebanese soldiers. This incident occurred as military personnel were conducting inspections and removing munitions from a facility linked to Hezbollah.
Following a truce that was established after recent hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed group, the Lebanese army has been actively working in southern Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure. However, the issue of disarming Hezbollah remains contentious, with the Lebanese cabinet instructing the army to devise a plan by the end of the year, despite pushback from the group.
Iran has publicly expressed its opposition to the Lebanese government’s disarmament strategy. The army released an early report confirming the six deaths and additional injuries amid an operation in Wadi Zibqin, a region in the Tyre district close to Israel.
An anonymous military source informed AFP that the explosion occurred within a Hezbollah military facility while troops were in the process of handling leftover munitions from the recent conflict. Investigations are currently underway to uncover the specifics of the blast.
Lebanon’s Army Commander, Joseph Aoun, shared details of this “painful incident” with the president, highlighting the toll on the troops. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed his condolences to the fallen soldiers on social media, honoring them for their commitment to national duty and recognizing the army as a protector of Lebanon’s integrity and institutions.
This incident follows recent reports from UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, who uncovered an extensive network of fortified tunnels in the same area. Under the terms of a ceasefire established last November, there are supposed to be restrictions on weapons within Lebanon, limited to state authorities.
The Lebanese government has tasked the army with outlining a strategy to restrict weapons to official forces by the end of August. Hezbollah has opposed the government’s plans to disarm the group, which complicates the situation further.
Meanwhile, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader reiterated Iran’s support for Hezbollah and its resistance against disarmament efforts. The Lebanese cabinet recently discussed a U.S. proposal that outlines a timeline for Hezbollah’s disarmament, with Washington urging the Lebanese government to take concrete actions. The cabinet endorsed the proposal but did not focus on specific deadlines, while also calling for an increased deployment of Lebanese troops in border regions.
