Controversy in Beirut; Hezbollah Supporters Attack UN Peacekeepers

On Friday, Hezbollah supporters blocked the road leading to Beirut Airport for the second consecutive night, attacking a UN peacekeeping vehicle, setting it on fire, and injuring one of its commanders. This chaos followed protests against the prevention of two Iranian planes from landing at Beirut Airport. In response to the unrest, the Lebanese Army announced it would take decisive action against those responsible for the attack on the UN vehicle. The army stated in a message on X that several areas, including around the airport, witnessed violent protests, public property destruction, and clashes where armed forces and UN vehicles were targeted. We will address any disruption to public order and arrest those responsible for these actions. UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) condemned the attack and called for an immediate and transparent investigation by Lebanese authorities. UNIFIL also noted that attacks against peacekeepers are a blatant violation of international law and could be considered a war crime. We demand a thorough and prompt investigation by Lebanese authorities and punishment for all perpetrators of these attacks. UNIFIL detailed that Hezbollah supporters attacked a four-member UN peacekeeping convoy en route to Beirut Airport on Friday, during which Arnaldo Lazaro, UNIFIL's deputy representative in Lebanon, was injured and taken to the hospital. According to Lebanese media, the convoy included four members, three of whom survived the attack by Hezbollah loyalists, but Arnaldo Lazaro was hospitalized. Janine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, also called the incident 'unacceptable' and warned that such actions endanger the lives of UN personnel working to maintain stability in Lebanon. The Israeli army has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of using Beirut Airport to transfer weapons from Iran. The Lebanese Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced on Thursday that flights from Iran to Beirut would be temporarily rescheduled until February 18 due to 'increased security measures.' Hezbollah, which was considered the uncontested power in Lebanon until last year, has lost its former influence due to recent developments, including the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and the loss of its weapon transfer route from Syria. According to a ceasefire agreement established on November 27, the Lebanese Army, in cooperation with UNIFIL forces, was to be deployed in the south of the country while the Israeli army would withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories over a 60-day period. This deadline was later extended to February 18. The Lebanese government's efforts to cut the Islamic Republic's support for Hezbollah Analysts told VOA: Israel's warning regarding the cancellation of Mahan Air flights was effective Hezbollah supporters' unrest following the prohibition of Iranian planes landing in Beirut US support for continued Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon The US supported Israel's approach in Gaza ceasefire negotiations Lebanon prevented a 'Mahan Air' plane from landing at Beirut Airport The Wall Street Journal reported the possibility of an Israeli attack on nuclear facilities in Iran A US warning regarding the 'malicious intent' of the Iranian government to re-enter Syria.