Beirut, Lebanon — An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson has claimed that Hezbollah’s secretive Unit 121 was responsible for the targeted killings of several Lebanese individuals who posed a threat to the group’s narrative regarding the Beirut Port explosion of August 2020. This claim raises serious questions about the lengths to which the militant group may go to silence dissent and shield its operations from scrutiny.
The IDF’s assertions detail the assassination of four public figures, including customs officials and outspoken journalists, who had pointed towards Hezbollah’s involvement in the deadly incident that resulted from improperly stored ammonium nitrate at the port. Among those killed was Joseph Skaff, who led the Customs Department at the port. He reportedly fell to his death in 2017 after requesting the removal of the dangerous substance, a precursor to the catastrophic explosion that rocked the city.
Another victim, Mounir Abu Rjeili, was killed in December 2020. He had been serving as head of the anti-smuggling unit and had provided information linking Hezbollah to the explosion. The IDF has cited his assassination as part of a pattern of silencing individuals who were attempting to disclose sensitive information.
Joe Bejjani, a photographer instrumental in documenting the aftermath of the explosion and aiding the Lebanese Armed Forces in the investigation, was also murdered in December 2020. His life was cut short by gunfire, and he allegedly had his phone stolen by assailants connected to Hezbollah, raising concerns about the motives behind the killing.
Lokman Slim, a political activist and journalist known for his critiques of Hezbollah, met a similar fate in February 2021. Minutes after he publicly accused both Hezbollah and the Syrian regime of complicity in the explosion, he was shot while in his vehicle. His death, like the others, remains shrouded in uncertainty as investigations have reportedly stalled.
Hezbollah has denied involvement in all four of these high-profile cases, and there has been limited progress in the official inquiries into their deaths. Allegations suggest that these assassinations are part of a broader pattern of targeting dissenting voices, reminiscent of previous incidents involving notable figures such as Rafik al-Hariri.
Amid escalating tensions, the IDF stated that the Lebanese populace has made it clear they will not tolerate Hezbollah’s oppressive practices. The military organization affirmed its commitment to thwarting the group’s efforts to regain control and pledged to continue exposing its actions against the Lebanese people.
As Lebanon commemorates the tragic anniversary of the port explosion, the implications of these revelations loom large. With many citizens uncertain about their safety and the integrity of ongoing investigations, the call for accountability and transparency grows louder. The complex interplay of political power, violence, and dissent continues to shape this critical moment in Lebanese history.