Hezbollah admits explosives ownership as Lebanon charges 13
A Lebanese military court has charged 13 people in connection with a shipment of explosives belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, the Associated Press reported. The shipment was intercepted by security forces earlier this month. According to the Associated Press , citing Lebanon's state-run National News Agency , the charges were filed on Friday after authorities discovered 780 kilograms (1,720 pounds) of explosives aboard a truck traveling on the main highway connecting Beirut with the Bekaa Valley.
Judicial officials said the shipment included approximately 250 kilograms of TNT and another 250 kilograms of C-4 plastic explosives. Two suspects arrested when the truck was intercepted remain in custody, while 11 others have been charged in absentia. The identities of five defendants remain unknown, with authorities listing them only by their aliases. The charges include offenses against Lebanon's internal security, unlawful possession of weapons and explosives, and participation in illegal organizations accused of undermining state authority.
The charges were brought by Judge Claude Ghanem, the government commissioner to Lebanon's Military Court. Hezbollah has acknowledged that the explosives belong to the organization, claiming they were intended for operations against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. The terrorist group has demanded that Lebanese authorities return the seized materials and release the two detained suspects. The seizure has sparked controversy in Lebanon, with critics accusing Hezbollah of potentially planning attacks against its domestic political opponents.
Left out here: Leaves out what changes the picture
The article says Hezbollah meant the explosives for operations against "Israeli forces in southern Lebanon". It never says that Israel occupies large parts of southern Lebanon. A reader is left without the fact that every other outlet gives about the setting of this seizure.
How we know
- Al Jazeera English reported“Israel, which continues to occupy large parts of southern Lebanon”Lebanon charges 13 over confiscated Hezbollah explosives (opens in a new tab)
- The National reported“large areas of the south of the country remain under Israeli occupation”Lebanese court presses charges against Hezbollah members over explosives seizure (opens in a new tab)
- On the recordIsrael occupies a self-declared security zone in southern Lebanon.newscord.org (opens in a new tab)
However, no evidence establishing such a plan has been publicly presented. In March, Lebanese authorities declared Hezbollah's military activities illegal following renewed hostilities with Israel. Hezbollah has rejected the government's decision and continues to oppose efforts to disarm its military wing.
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