Soldiers perish in explosion at Hezbollah ammunition storage facility in Lebanon
In a tragic turn of events, six Lebanese soldiers lost their lives on Saturday in Wadi Zibqin, Tyre district, near the Israeli border. The explosion occurred during an operation to dismantle Hezbollah weapons and unexploded ordnance left from the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The blast took place inside a Hezbollah military facility while troops were removing munitions. Investigations are ongoing, and the incident is connected to leftover ordnance from Israel's 2023 military actions in southern Lebanon.
This unfortunate incident comes amid Lebanon's government decision to disarm Hezbollah by year-end, with the army tasked to dismantle its infrastructure in the south. The smaller conflict between Lebanon and Israel was ended by a US-brokered ceasefire in November.
Hezbollah, considered a terrorist organization by the US, Israel, and several other countries, has been a significant player in the region's conflicts. The group's current leader, Naim Kassem, has rejected calls to disarm, calling them "US dictates" and a threat to Lebanon's sovereignty.
Iran, a key supporter of Hezbollah, also opposes the group's disarmament, according to an adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran supports Hezbollah financially and militarily, along with Hamas and Yemen's Houthis.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam paid tribute to the soldiers who were killed, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the explosion as a "painful incident." The government met this week to order the army to develop a plan to disarm Hezbollah before the end of the year.
The weapons depot, reportedly part of Hezbollah's military infrastructure, was the focus of the operation that led to the fatal explosion. Hezbollah suffered major losses with over 5,000 fighters killed, including senior commanders, during the recent conflict with Israel.
The international community is closely watching the situation in Lebanon, with the potential for further escalation of tensions in the region. The Lebanese army and government are working diligently to ensure the safety and security of their citizens while addressing the complex issue of disarming Hezbollah.
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