Lebanon soldiers killed in blast linked to disarmament push

Incident in south Lebanon comes days after Lebanon approves US-backed plan to strip terror group of its weapons and secure Israeli troop withdrawal from the south

Five Lebanese soldiers killed in blast during munitions seizure at Hezbollah facility

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Five Lebanese soldiers were killed Saturday when an explosion hit a Hezbollah military facility in south Lebanon. A military source said the incident occurred as troops were removing munitions and unexploded ordnance left from the last war with Israel. The army has not issued a formal statement, but President Joseph Aoun described it as a painful incident as he spoke with the army commander about the casualties.

The blast comes as Lebanon's government voted to back a US proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah and giving the army a monopoly on arms by the end of the year. UN peacekeepers in the area said they had found a network of fortified tunnels and a large stock of weapons, including bunkers, artillery, rocket launchers and hundreds of shells. Hezbollah ministers and allies walked out of cabinet discussions on the plan after the vote. The US-backed proposal would end Israel's military operations in Lebanon and withdraw Israeli troops from five southern positions as part of a broader effort to curb Hezbollah.

The incident underlines how quickly security plans can collide with reality. Disarming a powerful non state actor requires more than political will; it hinges on a trusted chain of command and safe handling of residual weapons. The blast also exposes the risks of pursuing a state monopoly on arms in a country already divided along political lines.

Lebanon faces a delicate path. Backing a US led disarmament plan could widen rifts in an already fragile coalition and invite renewed scrutiny from domestic allies of Hezbollah. The episode raises questions about the pace and method of disarmament, and who bears responsibility if security promises falter.

Highlights

The coming days will test whether political pledges can translate into real security.