BEIRUT — The families of the victims of the Beirut Port explosion announced Monday that they have decided to cancel this month's protest due to the "security situation" amid the ongoing war between Hezbollah and Israel. The families had announced a similar decision last month.

"In light of the catastrophic situation our country is enduring, and amid the continuous tragedies affecting our people, we decided to issue this statement this time without our usual presence on the fourth of every month," the association said in a statement.

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began on Oct. 8, 2023, with a recent escalation into a nationwide war on Sept. 23. In the past 13 months, the Israeli army has killed 2,950 people in Lebanon.

"This decision was not easy, but it comes as a result of the current circumstances that prevent us from effectively expressing our demands. We are waiting impatiently for conditions to stabilize and for courthouses to reopen normally so that we can continue our pursuit of justice," the association added.

The victims' families emphasized that they "will not abandon their just and rightful cause" and are "determined to maintain pressure from all directions." They also called on those who share their pain to unite with them.

"We will not forget our loved ones, and we will not allow their cause to be forgotten amid these events. We believe that one day the truth will be revealed and justice will prevail."

William Noun, brother of Joe, one of the firefighters killed by the blast, told MTV the same day that Hezbollah obstructed the investigations from inside Lebanon, while Israel obstructed the same investigations from the outside.

"Hezbollah is our enemy in the case of the port explosion, Hezbollah put itself in this position because of the pressure it put on the judiciary and prevented the continuation of the investigation," Noun said.

Since the appointment of Judge Tarek Bitar to lead the investigation into the explosion in 2021, the Amal Movement and Hezbollah opposed him heavily as they accused him of targeting only leaders of their political camp in his prosecution. However, the judge has summoned political, security and judicial officials of various affiliations.

Noun also said, "What is happening on the level of the war is disturbing but despite the circumstances, the indictment must be issued."

Another group of victims' families, led by Ibrahim Hoteit and opposing Judge Tarek Bitar, announced in a press release the suspension of its monthly mobilization "in light of the very difficult circumstances Lebanon is facing, particularly in the South, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut's southern suburbs," according to a statement relayed by the National News Agency (NNA).

The explosion, triggered by the ignition of large quantities of improperly stored ammonium nitrate, killed at least 235 people, injured 6,500 others and devastated entire neighborhoods in Beirut. Since Aug. 4, 2020, victims' families have convened on the fourth of every month to call for justice.