Tension in Beirut southern suburbs as Lebanese Army pursues shooters

Tension rose in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday, when the Lebanese Army tried to pursue alledged shooters who opened "celebratory" fire during a funeral for people killed in recent Israeli strikes.

A security source told L'Orient Today that after gunshot were fired, the Lebanese Army "pursued" the shooters.

Local media outlets reported that the army deployment in the Kafaat area of the southern suburbs caused tensions with Hezbollah's supporters. Videos show hundreds of men dressed mostly in black blocking at least two armored vehicles in the area, while shouting slogans.

Asked about the tension, the source declined to comment further and mentioned a statement will soon be published by the army.

The cease-fire agreement that ended, in November 2024, the previous war between Hezbollah and Israel, states that the Lebanese Army must disarm and dismantle Hezbollah military infrastructure in all of Lebanon.

If the Army had claimed to have mostly disarmed Hezbollah south of the Litani, in southern Lebanon, the movement confirmed it brought reinforcements in that area after March 2, and the reopening of the front against Israel. The war further complicated the army's mission, prompting criticism towards its commander-in-chief, Rodolph Haykal.

In early April, the Lebanese Cabinet committed to make Beirut an "arms-free" city, but no tangible steps seem to have been taken to that effect by the army and the security forces, until this Sunday.

Despite the cease-fire agreement of April 16, the Israeli army is still carrying out daily strikes on southern Lebanon, killing dozens of people. Meanwhile, Hezbollah is carrying out around five to 10 attacks per day, mainly targeting Israeli soldiers and vehicles in southern Lebanon.