Hezbollah responds to claims of activity in Syria.. Iraq investigates arms smuggling
Syria-Lebanon security file: Trump considers giving al-Sharaa “green light” to move against Hezbollah, and Israeli insistence on security zones
Hezbollah responded on Thursday to claims of its activity inside Syrian territory with a categorical denial, in a statement issued by the group’s media relations office, coming hours after Syria’s Interior Ministry announced it had foiled an attempt to smuggle a weapons shipment on the Syria-Iraq border that was destined for the group, while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stressed his country’s commitment to security zones in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza.
Hezbollah responds to claims of activity in Syria
Hezbollah’s media relations office said in a statement that the group “reiterates its denial of allegations regarding Hezbollah activity inside Syrian territory,” stressing they are “completely false claims” and “fabricated narratives with no basis,” aimed at “harming Hezbollah and serving the American project in the region” (according to the statement’s wording).
Syrian Interior Ministry: Arms shipment bound for Hezbollah thwarted
Syria’s Interior Ministry had announced that its specialized units foiled an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of high-quality weapons on the Syria-Iraq border, seizing it before it could enter Syrian territory. The ministry indicated the shipment included long-range missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, and drones, and was intended to transit through Syrian territory toward Lebanon for Hezbollah.
Iraq forms committee to investigate arms smuggling
In a related development, Iraq’s Joint Operations Command announced, under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the formation of a high-level committee of relevant authorities and specialists to investigate the details of the foiled weapons smuggling operation across the Iraqi border toward Syria.
The command said in a statement that the committee would work in coordination with the Syrian side to uncover all details and hold those responsible accountable, ensuring the security and stability of the shared border and preventing any attempts to undermine national security.
“حزب الله” في قلب الاتهامات… شحنة أسلحة في قبضة الأمن السوريhttps://t.co/kyd0vYwDW7 pic.twitter.com/XoQdhb6DUX
— Lebanon Debate (@lebanondebate) July 16, 2026
Katz insists on security zones, informs US Defense Secretary
In a separate development, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he informed his US counterpart Pete Hegseth during a conversation on Wednesday-Thursday night that Israel is “determined to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon,” considering this necessary to protect its borders.
Katz added, according to a statement from his office, that Israel “has never asked the United States to act on its behalf along its borders,” stressing that his country is “determined to defend its citizens against any threat.”
Trump and al-Sharaa
These developments come after US President Donald Trump stated that he is considering giving Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa a “green light” to move against Hezbollah in Lebanon, in an implicit criticism of the Israeli military’s approach in dealing with the group. Al-Sharaa had previously denied any intention for his country to intervene militarily in Lebanon, stressing that Syria would only intervene based on a formal request from the Lebanese government.
Related topics:
Rome talks: Second session ends without agreement.. Lebanon demands timeline for withdrawal
Sanctions lifted on Syria.. Trump meets al-Sharaa in Ankara and discusses Hezbollah file
