The Lebanese army moved Saturday morning to reopen roads blocked by Hezbollah supporters, using batons and tear gas to disperse protesters, according to a report. Hezbollah supporters accused the military of using excessive force and complained that the army is acting against them rather than against the IDF.
The Lebanese military moved to forcibly clear roadblocks set up by Hezbollah supporters Saturday morning, using batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, according to a single unverified report. The operation follows hours of protests that began Saturday night and escalated through the early hours of Sunday, as The Zioneer reported at 03:23 Jerusalem — with the army first dispersing burning tire roadblocks in Beirut, only for protesters to establish additional blockades shortly after. By Saturday morning, the army’s escalation to physical force and chemical irritants marks a sharpening of internal security measures against the Iran-backed group’s street campaign.
Earlier in the overnight thread, at 03:23 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that the Lebanese army had dispersed Hezbollah supporters blocking roads with burning tires in Beirut, after protesters had set up fresh roadblocks across the capital following an initial dispersal. The first version of the story, also timestamped 03:23 Jerusalem, noted that security forces were dispersing protests amid ongoing tensions following earlier clashes between the army and Hezbollah operatives. The current report adds the specific use of batons and tear gas, and the protesters’ accusation of excessive force — a claim that remains from a single unverified source.
Hezbollah supporters complained that the army was acting against them rather than against IDF troops still operating in southern Lebanon, as The Zioneer reported on Tuesday Jun 23, 12:33 Jerusalem, when the Lebanese army deployed troops on roads leading to southern Lebanon to block civilian movement. The broader context includes a series of Hezbollah claims of attacks on Israeli forces, reported by The Zioneer on separate dates, though none have been independently confirmed. The Zioneer’s analysis on Tuesday Jun 23, 10:29 Jerusalem characterized Hezbollah as an Iranian proxy acting without state control.
The sole report detailing the use of batons and tear gas remains unverified, with no casualty figures or independent corroboration provided. It is unclear whether the army’s operation is ongoing or if protesters have regrouped after the dispersal.
5 developments
- DevelopingLebanese army deploys to roads to block civilian movement amid ongoing protests
- StrongMassive traffic jams in southern Lebanon as residents return home waving Hezbollah flags
- ConfirmedIDF eliminates Hezbollah operatives approaching troops in southern Lebanon
- DevelopingHezbollah operatives conduct provocations along the Yellow Line in southern Lebanon
Source and signal
- Internal intake