Lebanese judge orders two Hezbollah officials to face questioning over seized half-ton explosives shipment the group said was for use against Israel

A Lebanese judge on Tuesday ordered two Hezbollah officials to appear for questioning over their alleged involvement in an explosives delivery seized this month, a judicial official told AFP. Lebanese authorities launched investigations after arresting two suspected Hezbollah members accused of transporting half a ton of explosives. Hezbollah later said the explosives were part of its capabilities for use against Israel.

The two suspects were arrested on October 8 at a security checkpoint in Dahr al-Baidar, in eastern Lebanon, while traveling in a vehicle headed toward Beirut. A source told AFP that one was the son of a Hezbollah official and the other was also a member of the group. The judicial official, who requested anonymity, said security agencies were working to locate the two officials and take them into custody.

Last week, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the explosives belonged to the group, demanded that the shipment be returned and called for those arrested to be released. The post described the statement as a rare admission by Hezbollah.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio subsequently urged Lebanon not to return the explosives. Lebanese authorities also announced that they had seized three large shipments of explosives this month alone.