Hezbollah supporters protested the seizure of explosives and obstructed an Internal Security Forces operation to inspect a warehouse for unregulated cancer drugs in Beirut. Tensions escalated further when armed men affiliated with Hezbollah surrounded a judicial police patrol vehicle in the Galerie Semaan area. These individuals held the patrol in place until the arrival of the Lebanese Army. The armed group withdrew from the scene only after the military reached the site. Authorities have not provided further details regarding the status of the warehouse or the seized explosives. The obstruction of these state-led inspections has noted the friction between security agencies and groups operating outside of traditional state oversight.
Military Seizures and Confrontations
The Lebanese Army intercepted a shipment of explosives destined for Beirut on 18 October. Military personnel seized at least 500 kg of material from individuals identified as having affiliations with Hezbollah. The Lebanese military seized at least 500 kg of explosives from Hezbollah-affiliated individuals en route to Beirut. Officials confirmed the cache was recovered while the transport was in transit toward the capital. No information regarding the specific destination of the explosives within Beirut or the identities of the detained individuals was released by the military command. This seizure follows recent confrontations between security forces and armed groups in the Galerie Semaan area. The Lebanese Army maintains control of the confiscated items as investigations into the origin and intended use of the explosives continue. The military continues to monitor transport routes leading into the capital to prevent the unauthorized movement of hazardous materials.
Investigation Into Counterfeit Medications
Former parliamentarian Wahbi Qatisha alleged that the medications seized during the recent security operation were counterfeit drugs imported from Iran. He further claimed these operations were overseen by the son of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem.
The Lebanese Health Ministry initiated a formal investigation into the suspected substances in September 2026. In September 2026, the Lebanese Health Ministry sent samples of suspected counterfeit cancer drugs to France for testing. Ministry officials sent samples of the confiscated cancer drugs to France for laboratory testing to determine their composition and origin. The results of these tests are expected to clarify the nature of the substances found in the warehouse and determine whether they pose a significant health risk to the public.
Grand Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan addressed the government’s recent security measures on 16 October 2026. Grand Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan stated on October 16, 2026, that Beirut’s actions against Hezbollah were a threat to Lebanese sovereignty. He stated that "Beirut’s actions against Hezbollah were a threat to Lebanese sovereignty and should be seen as in favor of Israel." Regarding the state’s authority, Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan argued that "Beirut’s legitimacy had derived from the legitimacy of the “resistance” and claimed that the security establishment was supporting the "American-Zionist project.”" These comments reflect the ongoing political divide regarding the role of security forces in investigating Hezbollah-linked assets.
