An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion , which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
An explosion took place on August 9, 2025, in Wadi Zibqin, Southern Lebanon. The explosion was caused during the Lebanese Army was dismantling munitions at a Hezbollah-linked weapons depot killing 6 soldiers and injured several others.
Wadi Zibqin is a village in Southern Lebanon, located close to the border with Israel. For decades the area has been under the influence of Hezbollah. Despite UNIFIL's presence in the area Hezbollah continued storing wepons and munition, defying United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. [1] Since November 2024 and the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army have been conducting an operation to dimantle Hezbollah's military infrastructure in Southern Lebanon. [2] [3] During that time UNIFIL reported it found more than 225 weapons site belonging to Hezbollah. According to reports, the weapon site was allready inspected by the French battalion, lowering the level of danger. [2] On August 5, 2025 the Lebanese government aprroved the U.S. intiative for the disarmement of Hezbollah. [4] [5]
On August 9, 2025, soldiers of the engineering unit and the 5th Infantry Brigade arrived to Wadi Zibqin to remove and dismantle weapons and munition from a depot of Hezbollah. [6] [2] [7] [8] While doing so an explosoion occured resulting in the killing of six soldier, injuring others. The reason for the explosion is atill under investigation, but some sources claim this was a planned ambush by Hezbollah. [9] [7] [10]
The reason for the explosion remains unknown, but several speculations have been made by various sources. Most sources agree to the claim that this was a Hezbollah munition depot. [2] [8] [9] [11] [6] Some of them claim that the explosion was caused by left overs from Israeli military actions, while others say, that the Lebanese expert soldiers may have not operated according to safety standards. [7] According one source one of the shells in the depot was rigged. [10]
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun stated that this is a painful incidient expressin “deep sadness over the martyrdom of the soldiers,” he offered condolences to the soldier's fammilies, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. [8] in addition he qwas quated saying "“The country has lost today a group of its finest men, who sacrificed their pure souls in defense of Lebanon’s territory and sovereignty". [8]
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam used his X account to praise the dead soldiers on their will to fullfil their national duty, calling them “martyrs”. [11]
Diodato Abagnara, Head of UNIFIL paid his respects to the families of the dead soldiers, saying they were: “simply doing their job to restore stability and avoid a return to open conflict”. [12]
King Abdullah II expressed his condolances to President Aoun over a phone call, reaffirming the solidarity with Lebanon and jordan's support of the Lebanese Army in its efforts presserving national stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. [13]