On Sunday, the Lebanese military announced the detention of several individuals accused of planning to launch rockets into Israel, as well as the seizure of related weaponry. This action is part of an ongoing investigation linked to previous detentions made earlier in the week. The military disclosed that, while investigating one case, they received intelligence regarding a new rocket attack being organized against Israel.
The army conducted a raid on an apartment near Sidon, a port city in southern Lebanon, where they discovered rockets and launchers. The individuals arrested during this operation were subsequently referred to judicial authorities for further processing. Earlier in the week, Lebanese authorities had detained a number of people, including several Palestinians, who were allegedly involved in launching rockets toward Israel during two separate attacks in late March. These attacks prompted intense Israeli airstrikes across parts of Lebanon. At that time, Hezbollah, the Shiite militant group, denied any involvement in the rocket firings.
In a related development, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Sunday resulted in the deaths of two individuals, as reported by the Lebanese Civil Defense. The Israeli military claimed responsibility for killing Hussein Ali Nasr, identified as the deputy head of Hezbollah's Unit 4400. Israel accused Nasr of facilitating the smuggling of weapons and funds into Lebanon through Iranian operatives, including methods involving Beirut airport.
Additionally, the Lebanese army reported a tragic incident where three Lebanese soldiers lost their lives following an explosion related to ammunition being transported in a military vehicle. The exact circumstances surrounding this explosion remain unclear at this time.
Since a ceasefire in November concluded a prolonged 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed numerous people in Lebanon, including civilians and members of Hezbollah. The Israeli military asserts that these strikes target Hezbollah holdouts in southern Lebanon, amidst ongoing tensions in the region.
Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Kassem, stated on Friday that the group’s fighters will not disarm as long as Israeli forces maintain their presence in southern Lebanon and continue to violate Lebanese airspace with frequent air patrols. This sentiment reflects the ongoing cycle of conflict and the challenges of achieving an enduring peace in the volatile region.
