A Lebanese military court charged 13 individuals on October 31, 2026, with trafficking explosives and undermining state security following the seizure of a truck carrying 780 kilograms of explosives at the Dahr al-Baydar checkpoint earlier in the month.
The seizure of the explosives-laden vehicle on October 5, 2026, at a checkpoint linking Beirut to the eastern Bekaa Valley, triggered an immediate political and security standoff in Lebanon. Judicial officials reported that the confiscated shipment contained 250 kilograms of TNT, 250 kilograms of C-4 plastic explosives, and additional material totaling 780 kilograms (1,720 pounds). Investigators identified 13 suspects in connection with the transport network, issuing charges that include possessing weapons, undermining state security, and forming illegal associations.
Hezbollah Acknowledges Ownership as Ministers Boycott Cabinet
Hezbollah acknowledged ownership of the confiscated explosives, maintaining that the shipment was intended for use against Israel in the south rather than domestic use.
Disagreements persisted within the government over how the prosecution should proceed. Although the ministerial meeting officially centered on waste management, a group of cabinet members—consisting of Justice Minister Adel Nassar, Energy Minister Joe Saddi, Industry Minister Joe Issa El Khoury, Displaced Persons, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence Minister Kamal Shehadeh, and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi—advocated for transferring the matter to the Judicial Council instead of relying on military tribunals. Previous reports indicated that discussions concerning the postponement of the referral involved Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, President Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
On October 30, Sami Gemayel demanded the referral of the explosives case to the Judicial Council, urging President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam not to yield to any threats or blackmail. Earlier, the cabinet had decided to postpone referring the explosives case until investigations were concluded, which prompted the walkout by Lebanese Forces ministers.
Political Defense and Accusations of Foreign Interference
Parliament member Hussein al-Hajj Hassan rejected the accusations during televised remarks, arguing that the defendants’ actions were aimed at confronting external threats rather than harming the state.
did not undermine the security or integrity of the state, but rather confronted the Israeli enemy that threatens Lebanon’s existence.
Hussein Hajj Hassan, Hezbollah Member of Parliament
Al-Hajj Hassan also suggested that the Lebanese government was overly focused on Hezbollah’s explosives while Israelis were bringing 100 truckloads of explosives into Lebanon, and suggested that President Aoun should first prevent Israelis from transporting weapons and carrying out airstrikes on Lebanese territory.
Security Forces Seek Remaining Hezbollah Suspects
Security forces and the Public Prosecutor’s Office worked closely to execute arrest warrants against those who fled, amid heightened security measures surrounding the courts and judicial centers involved in the investigation. Investigators identified seven suspects initially, including the two operatives arrested in the vehicle carrying the explosives. On October 26, the Information Branch identified three Hezbollah members who traveled in the escort vehicle, a Kia, alongside its license plates, and efforts to locate and arrest them were underway. Inquiry findings showed that the explosive materials had been picked up at a Baalbek warehouse and moved toward the Dahieh area in Beirut’s southern suburbs using a Dodge truck, preceded by a scouting vehicle that cleared the route ahead. Interrogations also revealed two aliases: Sajed, who reportedly handed the shipment to al-Kurdi and Amhaz in Baalbek, and Dhu al-Fiqar, who was supposed to receive the shipment in the al-Musharrafieh area of Beirut’s southern suburb.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam pledged that state authorities “will deal with weapons outside the legal framework with the required firmness”, having stated during an October 22 cabinet meeting that the storage or transportation of weapons by an unauthorized actor violates the law, endangers public safety, and requires stringent punishment. Meanwhile, Sami Gemayel urged state leaders not to yield to threats or blackmail, stating that Any threat to civil peace is a threat to the state itself
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