Traces of celebratory gunfire observed over Beirut at the moment the cease-fire with Israel came into effect, on April 17, 2026. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient Today)
Lebanese Army units arrested eight people and seized weapons during raids across Beirut and the Baalbeck region after they allegedly fired celebratory gunshots following the implementation of a cease-fire agreement on Friday, the Lebanese Army said in a statement Saturday.
Minutes after the cease-fire took effect, bursts of gunfire, including machine guns and B7 rockets, rang out, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The shooting lasted nearly an hour and spread panic among residents.
“In follow-up to the previous statement regarding the pursuit of individuals who fired shots into the air after the cease-fire agreement came into effect, army units carried out raids in the areas of Burj Abi Haidar and Tariq al-Jadideh – Beirut, Sports City – Baabda, Boudai, Kfardan, Taria, and Hazzin – Baalbeck. Seven Lebanese citizens and one Palestinian were arrested for firing shots into the air on April 17, 2026, and for possessing unlicensed military weapons. A quantity of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment was seized," the army statement said.
One day before, the Lebanese Army had arrested nine suspects who shot in the air on 16 April.
"The confiscated items were handed over, and investigations with the detainees have begun under the supervision of the competent judiciary. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining individuals involved in the shooting," the statement concluded.
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