Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed the commitment to bring all arms under state control during a telephone call with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as announced by the Lebanese Presidential Palace. The call took place on Thursday, with Aoun assuring Rubio that Lebanese security forces are actively confiscating illicit arms across the country.
Last week, a truck carrying 780kg (1,720lb) of explosives was intercepted on a highway between Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah acknowledged the group's connection to the shipment, stating that the materials were intended for operations against Israel. Fadlallah mentioned that Hezbollah contacted security agencies to clarify ownership of the vehicle and cargo, demanding the return of the materials and the release of detained personnel.
Rubio urged Aoun to hold accountable those who ordered, financed, and directed the shipment, emphasizing that “returning explosives to [Hezbollah] should be out of the question,” according to a State Department official. The official also noted that Rubio advocated for direct military-to-military communication between Lebanese and Israeli forces for deconfliction.
In response, Aoun requested that Rubio press Israel to cease its attacks and destruction in southern Lebanon. Separately, Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Iran, according to Israeli media reports.
On Monday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed that Lebanon would conduct an investigation to track down Hezbollah members linked to the incident. Judicial officials informed The Associated Press that the truck was carrying 780kg (1,720lb) of explosives, including 250kg (550lb) of TNT and 550lb of C4 plastic explosives. Salam described the transport as a “criminal operation” and commended security forces for intercepting the vehicle along the strategic highway linking Beirut with the Bekaa Valley.
For years, Hezbollah moved weapons freely across parts of the country. However, in March, the Lebanese government declared all military activities by the group illegal. Despite this pledge to bring all weaponry under state control, Hezbollah has stated its intention to continue transporting arms in its confrontation with Israel.
Earlier this spring, Lebanese and Israeli envoys met in Washington under the auspices of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marking the first direct diplomatic contact between the two nations in decades. Despite diplomatic efforts from Washington, Israel has repeatedly violated the November 2024 ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, with Lebanon frequently reporting civilian casualties. The renewed diplomatic friction occurs as heavy Israeli attacks continue across southern Lebanon, where numerous villages have been systematically demolished and large areas remain under Israeli military occupation, despite a framework agreement signed in June.