Rubio Demands Accountability from Lebanon Over Hezbollah Weapons Seizure

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun engaged in a telephone conversation with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the confiscation of explosives destined for use against Israel. The Lebanese Presidential Palace confirmed that the call took place on Thursday.

President Aoun assured Secretary Rubio that Lebanese security forces are actively engaged in their mission to seize illicit arms throughout the nation. This discussion follows the interception of an explosive-laden truck carrying approximately 780kg (1,720lb) of explosives on a highway between Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley just last week.

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah acknowledged the group's connection to the seized shipment on Thursday, stating that the materials were intended for operations targeting Israel. Fadlallah informed reporters at the Lebanese parliament that Hezbollah had promptly contacted security agencies to establish ownership of the vehicle and its cargo, requesting the return of the materials and the release of detained individuals.

According to a State Department official speaking to US media, Secretary Rubio urged President Aoun to hold accountable all parties involved in ordering, financing, and directing the shipment. The official emphasized that the return of explosives to Hezbollah should be considered out of the question. Additionally, Rubio advocated for direct military-to-military communication between Lebanese and Israeli forces to facilitate deconfliction.

The Presidential Palace reported that President Aoun requested Secretary Rubio to press Israel to cease its attacks and destruction in southern Lebanon. In a separate development on Thursday, Israeli media reported that Secretary Rubio also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed on Monday that Lebanon would launch an investigation to identify Hezbollah members linked to the incident. Judicial officials informed The Associated Press that the truck contained 780kg (1,720lb) of explosives, including 250kg (550lb) of TNT and 550lb of C4 plastic explosives. Prime Minister Salam characterized the transport as a "criminal operation" and commended security forces for intercepting the vehicle on the crucial highway connecting Beirut with the Bekaa Valley.

Historically, Hezbollah has transported weapons freely across various parts of Lebanon. However, in March, the Lebanese government officially declared all military activities by the group to be illegal. Despite the government's commitment to bringing all weaponry under state control, Hezbollah has indicated its intention to continue transporting arms as part of its ongoing confrontation with Israel.

Earlier this spring, Lebanese and Israeli envoys convened in Washington under the mediation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marking a significant moment as the first direct diplomatic contact between the two nations in decades. Notwithstanding this diplomatic initiative from Washington, Israel has repeatedly breached the November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, leading to frequent reports of civilian casualties in Lebanon. The current diplomatic tensions coincide with ongoing, heavy Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon, where numerous villages have been systematically destroyed and substantial areas remain under Israeli military occupation, despite a framework agreement established in June.