Beirut: The Lebanese army has detained 12 armed members of Hezbollah as judicial authorities intensify their pursuit of individuals responsible for launching rockets and drones from Lebanon toward Israel. This development comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBCI) confirmed that the army apprehended the 12 Hezbollah members at a checkpoint but did not provide further details regarding the detentions. Meanwhile, Al-Jadeed TV, referencing unnamed security sources, reported that Judge Claude Ghanem, Government Commissioner to the Military Court, has issued judicial orders to pursue those responsible for the recent rocket and drone launches.
The Lebanese army has responded by setting up a checkpoint on the Msayleh road in the Sidon district to inspect vehicles returning to southern Lebanon, while also tightening measures at the Awali checkpoint in Sidon to scrutinize cars heading south. Despite these actions, there has been no immediate comment from Hezbollah regarding the detentions or the judicial orders.
Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed announced during a press conference that the ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of 29,000 people, who are now distributed across 171 shelters throughout various Lebanese regions. This displacement has been a direct consequence of the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel.
On Monday, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting a military site in northern Israel, stating it was a response to ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a series of US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. In retaliation, the Israeli army launched airstrikes across Lebanon, resulting in at least 40 deaths and nearly 250 injuries.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reacted to the escalation by announcing a ban on Hezbollah's security and military activities, confining the group's role to the political sphere. The Israeli army has continued its offensive, shelling 24 Lebanese villages and the southern city of Sidon, according to an Anadolu reporter.
These latest attacks occur amid repeated Israeli violations of a ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. These violations have caused numerous casualties, and Israel maintains its occupation of five Lebanese hilltops seized during the latest war, alongside other areas held for decades.