A massive explosion, or series of explosions, has rocked the port of Beirut, causing widespread destruction and generating an enormous shock wave and dust cloud.
The cause of the explosion is unclear. Some accounts attribute it to an explosion at a fireworks factory, while others speculate it is a Hezbollah weapons depot. Israeli and Hezbollah sources, speaking to media, deny it was an Israeli attack.
The Jerusalem Post reports:
The source of the explosion was unclear. LBCI Lebanon News claimed that a fire had broken out at the port and then triggered an explosion of a nearby warehouse storing fireworks. According to the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen news, the explosion occurred in a warehouse storing benzine, a flammable chemical.Sources from Hezbollah told OTV Lebanon that there was “no truth” to reports that the explosion was caused by an Israeli strike on Hezbollah weapons at the port. Israeli defense officials denied that Israel had any connection to the incident. Hezbollah operatives were seen at the port after the explosion, according to Al-Arabiya. Fighter jets were spotted over Tel Aviv after the explosion, according to Channel 12 news.Lebanon’s General Security director told Al-Hadath that reports that the explosion was caused by fireworks were “ridiculous” and that the explosion involved high-quality explosives.
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