August 4 will remain etched in the memory of Lebanese people. The explosion that tore through Beirut, caused by an estimated 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate left unsecured in a warehouse since 2014, killed at least 170 people and left 6,000 injured. Rescue teams are still searching the rubble for dozens of missing people, while families of victims want the government to be held accountable.
The explosion shook the entire capital from neighbourhoods down to the suburbs and windows of a large number of buildings, shops and cars were shattered.
There has been an outpouring of outrage against the entire ruling political class, and this time it has reached the doors of Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. Hundreds of activists and media figures have expressed, in recent days their strong criticism of Hezbollah, forcing its chief Hassan Nasrallah to issue a statement that ‘Hezbollah has nothing to do with the bombing of the Beirut port, and nor are we aware of the materials contained in the storage.”
A majority of Lebanese public opinion holds Hezbollah responsible for the explosion and they believe it controls the port and has strong links to Lebanese intelligence services, which coordinate with it in most matters. Moreover, they are aware of the presence of these dangerous materials in the port.
Since 2013, Hezbollah has been in virtual control of the transportation and finance ministries, the first being responsible for all Lebanese ports, including Beirut, and the second being the custodian of the Customs Authority.
The party knows very well the danger posed by these materials from the military point of view and how dangerous they are to the lives of civilians. Nasrallah had previously threatened to target Israel in the same way, by detonating the nitrate stockpile in the port of Haifa, and said: “It will be like a bomb. Precisely, nuclear,” and was threatening to bombard the port with missiles in the case of a war.
Several questions were raised, not only by the Lebanese, but also by international media on if the entire quantity of ammonium nitrate – 2,750 tonnes – was in storage or was it less. Or ,if any quantity was shifted to Syria or Iraq or other countries. Or, if there were other weapons, explosives and military equipment in a nearby warehouse. More than that, if it is related to the verdict on the assassination of Rafic Hariri.
In the coming months, there will be developments that will change the situation in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq because Hezbollah cannot continue playing a major role in Syria and supporting the Iranian and Syrian regimes. This is because the party will be under watch by the French, Americans and others.
At the same time, many Lebanese are demanding Hezbollah surrender their weapons. If Hezbollah refuses to oblige and does not do so, Lebanon will enter into a civil war again. Since the country is experiencing the worst economic crisis in its history, with a collapsing currency, restrictions on bank deposits, inflation and high prices etc., public outrage is at its peak and would be impossible to control.