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A joint army operation in the Hermel region uncovered about 200 kg of C‑4 and other explosives hidden in bags, being moved across an illegal crossing near Qasr. The haul was part of a larger truck seizure on the Beirut‑Bekaa highway that contained roughly 780 kg of explosives, according to judicial officials. Two men were detained; they claimed they were merely following orders and were unaware of the explosives’ purpose.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam responded by promising a “firm” response, saying his government will not be lenient in expanding the investigation to identify all participants. Information Minister Paul Morcos confirmed the detainees have been referred to judicial authorities and that security agencies will pursue further suspects.
Why it matters: The seizure highlights the porous Lebanon‑Syria border and ongoing illicit flow of weapons linked to Hezbollah and Iran‑backed networks. Salam’s strong stance signals an intensified crackdown on illegal arms, a key step in Lebanon’s effort to curb militant militancy and improve national security.
What to watch next:
- Follow‑up arrests and any disclosures about the explosives’ intended targets.
- Government actions on broader disarmament of Hezbollah‑linked militias.
- Regional reactions, especially from Syria, regarding cross‑border smuggling operations. [[1, 2]]