On Wednesday, June 5th, the Lebanese military stated that a gunman opened fire on the US Embassy in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, and was injured in an exchange of fire with the military before being arrested. This attack occurred as the US ally Israel hinted at a possible imminent attack on the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.
According to the Lebanese military, the gunman is of Syrian nationality. Military personnel deployed in the area retaliated against the source of the gunfire, injuring the gunman who has been taken to the hospital for treatment. The military is currently searching for other potential gunmen in the area.
The US Embassy in Lebanon reported a small-scale shooting incident near its entrance in the morning, with staff and the embassy remaining unharmed. According to diplomatic sources speaking to Reuters, US Ambassador Lisa Johnson is currently traveling outside of Lebanon.
A source within the Lebanese security forces confirmed on Wednesday morning to Reuters that a member of the embassy’s Lebanese security team sustained minor injuries. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later confirmed to NBC News that a Lebanese guard was injured and is receiving treatment.
The embassy announced that it will remain closed to the public for the rest of Wednesday but plans to resume normal business operations on Thursday, June 6th.
Local media reported a half-hour-long gun battle on Wednesday morning involving at least one attacker. The motive for the attack has not been determined yet. However, Lebanese media released some photos showing an attacker wearing a black vest with Arabic inscription of “Islamic State” and the letters “ISIS”.
No organization has claimed responsibility for the attack at present. A senior official from the Lebanese security forces informed Reuters that the Lebanese military is investigating potential links between this shooting incident and the Islamic State group and has detained two tribal leaders and the attacker’s family.
Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that he is monitoring the situation with the Minister of Defense and security forces.
Lebanon’s northern border with Israel has long been plagued by economic hardship and political turmoil.
In 1983, a fatal explosion occurred at the US Embassy in Beirut, resulting in 63 casualties. US officials attributed the attack to Hezbollah. Subsequently, the US Embassy was relocated to the northern suburbs of the capital, within a highly guarded area featuring multiple checkpoints along the road leading to the entrance.
Last September, a shooting incident near the embassy took place with no casualties.
In mid-October last year, during the initial days of the recent conflict, dozens of protesters gathered outside the US Embassy demonstrating. The Lebanese security forces dispersed them using tear gas and water cannons.
Since the recent conflict began, Lebanon has been a battleground for clashes between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel.
According to Israeli statistics, since Hamas, an ally of Hezbollah, launched an attack on Israel from Gaza on October 7th last year, resulting in 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 abductions, Hezbollah has been launching attacks almost daily on Israeli targets near the border.
Hezbollah stated that its actions will cease only when Israel halts its assault on the Gaza Strip.
Due to concerns over escalating conflict, tens of thousands of individuals on both sides of the Lebanon-Israel border have been displaced.
Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi stated on Tuesday, June 4th, that the army is prepared for “launching an attack in the north.”
In a recorded statement, he mentioned, “We are approaching a decisive point.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanon border on Wednesday and stated, “In any case, we will restore security to the north.”
“No peace for Lebanon as long as they cause destruction here,” declared hardline Israeli Minister of Public Security Itamar Ben-Gvir in a video statement after inspecting the northern cities. “We must destroy all Hezbollah strongholds, dismantle them. War!”
The United States has been engaged in diplomatic efforts to ease the violence along the borders of the two countries.