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Lebanese Whistleblowers Allege Hezbollah Using Beirut Airport for Iranian Arms Storage
Workers Report Missiles and Explosives Stored at International Airport; Lebanese Transport Minister Denies Claims
By ToI Staff
On June 21, 2024, Beirut International Airport was at the center of a major controversy. Lebanese whistleblowers have accused Hezbollah of using the airport to store substantial quantities of Iranian weapons, as reported by a British daily on Sunday.
According to The Telegraph, Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran, is allegedly utilizing Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport to house a variety of weapons, including ballistic missiles, unguided artillery rockets, and laser-guided anti-tank guided missiles. Whistleblowers have also reported the storage of RDX, a highly explosive and toxic white powder, at the airport.
In response to these allegations, Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh, who is affiliated with Hezbollah, held a press conference at the airport. He dismissed the allegations as “ridiculous.”
An airport worker, speaking to the British daily, revealed that weapons have been arriving at the airport on flights from Iran in “mysterious large boxes.” The worker expressed fear and concern over the situation, describing it as “extremely serious.”
Whistleblowers have indicated that shipments from Iran have surged since the onset of the Gaza war, raising concerns that the airport could become a military target if conflict erupts between Israel and Hezbollah.
“If they continue bringing in these goods that I’m not allowed to check, I genuinely fear I’ll die from either an explosion or from Israel bombing ‘the goods,’” one whistleblower stated. “It’s not just us, but also the ordinary people, those coming in and out, going on holiday. If the airport is bombed, Lebanon is finished.”
One whistleblower also mentioned seeing Wafiq Safa, a high-ranking Hezbollah commander who liaises with Lebanese security forces, frequenting customs since October 7. Safa is reported to have close ties with customs managers.
“I feel like if we don’t comply with their demands, our families could be in danger,” the whistleblower added.
In response to the report, the Hezbollah lawmaker announced plans to file a lawsuit against The Telegraph, with details to be disclosed later. Hamieh invited journalists and ambassadors to tour the airport facilities to demonstrate that “there is nothing to hide,” as quoted by Lebanese media.
In a statement to The Telegraph, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned that Hezbollah’s strategy of storing weapons in civilian areas poses a significant risk to innocent people during times of conflict.
“If Hezbollah were to target Israeli civilians from these sites, the IDF would have no choice but to respond, potentially endangering Lebanese civilians and causing international outrage towards the IDF,” the statement read.
