Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar is seeking to refer a shipment of Hezbollah explosives to the Judicial Council for investigation. Minister Nassar filed a formal request with the cabinet’s General Secretariat to place this referral on the agenda for the cabinet meeting held on 22 October 2026. Addressing the security implications of the case, Adel Nassar stated, "This is fundamental to us. We consider it a violation of national security, which falls within the Judicial Council's jurisdiction." He further noted, "There are suspicions about their intended use, whether for assassinations or bombings inside the country," and emphasized that "There are no limits to the investigation." The cabinet is now tasked with reviewing the minister’s request to elevate the case to the nation’s highest judicial authority.
National Security Concerns Raised
The Judicial Council in Lebanon maintains exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving state security, handling matters deemed to pose a direct threat to the country's stability. Legal protocols dictate that cases classified under this category are elevated to this highest judicial body to ensure a centralized and specialized review.
Hezbollah representatives have stated that the seized explosives were intended for military operations against Israel. This assertion stands in contrast to the concerns raised by government officials regarding the potential domestic application of the materials.
Adel Nassar, the Lebanese Minister of Justice, addressed the potential regional and domestic risks regarding the shipment. He stated, "Whether intended for use inside Lebanon or in military operations that could provide pretexts for Israeli wars against Lebanon, both constitute a threat to national and state security and a violation of applicable laws."
Military judiciary authorities currently manage the active investigation into the explosives shipment. This body oversees the collection of evidence and the initial questioning of individuals linked to the discovery. The referral request filed by Adel Nassar seeks to shift this oversight from the military branch to the Judicial Council, arguing that the nature of the case requires a broader mandate than that currently held by the military investigators. By moving the proceedings to the Judicial Council, the government aims to consolidate the legal process under an authority specifically empowered to address threats to state security.
