Hezbollah supporters resume protests over Iran flight ban, Israeli-U.S. ‘demands’
Hezbollah supporters demonstrated for the third consecutive day and tried to block the main road leading to the airport in Beirut to denounce the authorities for bowing to Israeli “threats” by prohibiting an Iranian plane from landing.
Few days ago, Lebanon denied landing rights for an Iranian Mahan Air flight to Hariri International Airportafter it reportedly received an Israeli warning that it was allegedly carrying millions in cash for Hezbollah.
The move came after the Israeli Army claimed that Iran has been smuggling cash to Hezbollah in recent weeks to rebuild itself, using civilian flights via Beirut’s international airport.
Israeli Army spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee said in a post on X on Thursday that the information was passed on to a US-led committee supervising the Nov. 27 ceasefire that ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah.
According to Adraee, some of the money transfers were likely carried out successfully.
By banning the Iran plane, some 350 Lebanese passengers remained stranded in Tehran, prompting Hezbollah followers to take to the streets on Thursday and block the entrance of Rafic Hariri International Airport.
The protests resumed Friday when the protestors attacked a passing convoy of the U.N Interim Force in Lebanon, carrying peacekeepers heading to the airport. A UNIFIL vehicle was set ablaze, injuring several peacekeepers including the force’s outgoing deputy commander who was rushed to hospital for treatment.
The attack on the UNIFIL convoy was strongly condemned by the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who called on the security services to adopt strict measures and punish the culprits.
U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said such attacks against the peacekeepers were “absolutely unacceptable,” were in breach of international law and “may constitute war crimes.”
Dujarric added that the perpetrators must be held accountable, emphasizing that the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be respected at all times.
Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar described the attack on the UNIFIL forces as “a crime,” saying that 26people have so far been arrested and being interrogated.
Units from the Lebanese Army’s Strike Force carried out extensive raids in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, to arrest those suspected of involvement in the attacks.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamni explained that the measures adopted concerning the Iran plane were meant to prevent “any aggression” on the airport.
Hezbollah supporters returned to the streets Saturday in response to a call by the Iran-backed militant group for a peaceful sit-in to condemn Israel and the U.S. for imposing “conditions” on the Lebanese authorities.
The protestors, waving Lebanese and Hezbollah flags, chanted “Death to Israel” and “America is the big Satan” while gunshots were fired in the air.
Lebanese Army forces, which cleared the way for another UNIFIL convoy heading to the airport, fired tear gas to disperse the angry crowd.
The once-powerful Hezbollah was greatly weakened after suffering devastating blows during 14 months of a destructive war with Israel that killed its top leaders and dismantled its military infrastructure.
