The Lebanese Armed Forces carried out arrests in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Monday, a stronghold of Hezbollah, detaining several individuals accused of opening fire during a funeral procession that triggered tensions with supporters of the militant group.
In a statement, the army said its units raided the homes of those involved in the gunfire, arresting two individuals in the southern suburbs, along with a third suspect wanted under multiple arrest warrants.
Additional arrests were made in the city of Baalbek, in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, known also as a power base of Hezbollah, where two more individuals were detained in connection with similar incidents during funeral ceremonies.
Authorities also seized weapons and ammunition, with investigations now underway under judicial supervision, while efforts continue to track down other suspects involved in the shooting.
From confrontation to arrests
The arrests mark a significant development following Sunday’s incidents in the Al-Kafaat area, where the Lebanese army units had initially been prevented from detaining suspects amid a tense standoff with Hezbollah supporters.
During the funeral procession for four individuals, heavy gunfire, including reports of rocket-propelled grenades, erupted, causing injuries and damage to nearby homes and vehicles. As troops moved in, supporters formed a human barrier, effectively blocking the army’s attempt to carry out immediate arrests.
While the army did not directly link the suspects to any organized group, the operations took place in an area controlled by Hezbollah, where security interventions carry heightened political sensitivity.
The developments come at a critical moment, as Lebanese authorities face increasing internal and external pressure to assert control over weapons and enforce state authority.
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