Explosion at Lebanese arms depot kills six army experts

An explosion at a south Lebanon arms depot has killed six army experts and wounded several others as they dismantled munitions.

Explosion at Lebanese arms depot kills six army experts

An explosion at a south Lebanon arms depot killed six army experts who were dismantling munitions, the army said. The blast occurred near the village of Zibqin in Tyre province, south of the Litani River, in an area where Hezbollah has withdrawn fighters under a ceasefire that ended a 14 month conflict with Israel. Officials said investigators are examining the cause of the blast and no final conclusions have been released. The depot is believed to have been used by Hezbollah as part of its weapons network. On Thursday, the Lebanese Cabinet voted in favor of a U.S backed plan to disarm Hezbollah and implement a ceasefire with Israel, a move that has drawn protests from Hezbollah supporters who oppose the disarmament. The government has asked the army to prepare a plan to ensure only state institutions hold weapons by the end of the year. Hezbollah officials have rejected disarmament before Israel withdraws from border hills and halts airstrikes that have killed many.

The incident underlines how fragile Lebanon’s security balance remains as the state seeks greater control over weapons and as Hezbollah asserts its influence in border areas. It also tests the government’s plan to disarm Hezbollah and the ability of security forces to manage protests tied to that plan. If the state cannot protect people in the south or maintain calm around sensitive policy moves, trust in official promises could erode quickly. The blast could complicate regional dynamics by fueling a cycle of protests, brinkmanship, and retaliatory rhetoric that makes disarmament harder, not easier.

Highlights

Events like this test Lebanon's resolve to balance security and politics without tipping into wider conflict.