On Sunday, Lebanon observes the fourth anniversary of the devastating Beirut port explosion that claimed over 220 lives, amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Several memorial marches are planned to gather at the port later in the day to honor the victims and push for accountability. The August 4, 2020, incident, which ranks among the largest non-nuclear explosions in history, left at least 6,500 injured and extensive damage in the capital. Authorities attributed the blast to a fire ignited in a warehouse containing improperly stored ammonium nitrate fertilizer.
The investigation into the disaster has been hindered by legal and political disputes. United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed her dismay at the lack of accountability, urging for a transparent and thorough investigation. The initial lead investigator, Fadi Sawan, charged former Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three ex-ministers with negligence before being removed under political pressure. His successor, Tarek Bitar, faced similar challenges and has only recently resumed his investigation, targeting new high-level suspects.
Despite calls from activists for a UN-led inquiry, Lebanese authorities have consistently opposed this. The anniversary is shadowed by the ongoing skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israel, raising fears of a broader conflict involving Lebanon.
