The Directorate of Intelligence and the Internal Security Forces’ Information Division have gathered numerous images, including those captured by television stations and shared across social media. These images clearly document attacks on the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL forces, as well as incidents that endangered civilians traveling to and from Beirut International Airport. These events not only disrupted airport security and logistics but also caused delays to several flights. Some political groups have called for placing the airport road under military control and banning any public or partisan gatherings that could lead to its closure, effectively restricting civilian movement. A security source emphasized that the airport road is a "red line" and that from now on, no one will be allowed to block it or threaten the safety of travelers.
As promised by President Joseph Aoun, the attack on a UNIFIL patrol on the airport road and the burning of one of its vehicles "will not go unpunished." Security and judicial investigations have been launched, and seven individuals have been detained in connection with the incident. Some of the detainees also assaulted Lebanese Army officers and soldiers while carrying out their duties.
A senior judicial source told our sister media outlet Houna Loubnan that the Lebanese Army’s Directorate of Intelligence "is still conducting its initial investigations into the matter, under the direct supervision of Prosecutor General Judge Jamal al-Hajjar." The source confirmed that "the number of detainees has risen to seven, including two minors, with preliminary investigations—supported by evidence, photos and testimonies—confirming their involvement in the acts attributed to them." The source also noted that "security agencies have identified the identities of 11 others and are actively working to track and arrest them."
The closure of the road to Rafic Hariri International Airport has significantly impacted the security and political situation, effectively holding airport passengers hostage. Unrest and disorder spread to the streets and neighborhoods of Beirut, cutting off access to parts of the capital. The chaos evoked scenes from "Black Tuesday" and May 7, 2008, raising concerns that the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s decision to prevent an Iranian flight from Tehran carrying Lebanese passengers from landing at Beirut Airport was being used as a pretext to destabilize the security situation and undermine the state.
Hezbollah supporters led the protests, sending clear messages of contempt toward the state, particularly targeting the president, the prime minister and the government, while calling for their resignation. These hostile messages also extended beyond Lebanon, with some attempting to direct them internationally through the blatant attack on a UNIFIL patrol, which included the deputy commander of the international forces. Two members of the patrol were injured in the attack and transferred to a military hospital in Beirut for treatment, while four others fled after being beaten and assaulted.
The blatant defiance of the state and its legitimate institutions was further evident in the confrontation with the Lebanese Army as it carried out its mission to restore security and reopen the airport road. This included assaults on army officers and soldiers, as well as deliberate attempts by some protesters to block the road and surround the airport. Some individuals even revealed their identities on television and social media, boasting about their actions. This prompted an immediate response from Lebanese authorities, with Prosecutor General Judge Jamal al-Hajjar issuing judicial orders to security agencies, instructing the swift arrest of the perpetrators.
A judicial source confirmed that the seven detainees are "directly involved in the attack on international forces, including one minor, aged 17, who was arrested in the past few hours and admitted to throwing a Molotov cocktail at a UNIFIL vehicle, which immediately set it on fire."
The source also revealed that the second minor "confessed to joining others in vandalizing a UNIFIL vehicle and seizing some of its equipment." He added, "The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected, especially since the Directorate of Intelligence and the Internal Security Forces’ Information Division have gathered numerous images, including those captured by television stations and shared on social media. These images document the attacks on the Lebanese Army and international forces, as well as the endangerment of civilians traveling to and from Beirut International Airport. These actions disrupted security and logistics at the airport and caused several flight delays."
While some political groups are calling for the airport road to be designated a military zone and for any public or partisan movements that could lead to its closure to be banned—effectively turning citizens into hostages—a security source who participated in a meeting of the Central Security Council told Houna Loubnan that the airport road is a "red line," and that from now on, no one will be allowed to block it or endanger the lives of travelers. While acknowledging "the right of people to protest and express their anger over any decision, including the ban of Iranian flights from landing at Beirut Airport," the source stressed that "the airport road is an international route and cannot be subject to state blackmail whenever some decide to do so."
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