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Five years after the devastating Beirut port explosion, the victims’ families are marking the anniversary with a renewed sense of hope. For the first time since the tragedy, the path to justice appears to be regaining momentum after overcoming serious political obstacles.

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Since the massive explosion on August 4, 2020, which killed 230 people and injured over 5,000, grieving families have waited for justice. The blast deeply scarred the Lebanese capital and exposed the fragility of a nation already battered by economic collapse and institutional dysfunction.

Unlike in previous years, when the investigation was stalled, particularly due to interference from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, the legal process is now progressing. Judge Tarek Bitar, who resumed the inquiry, is reportedly close to concluding the investigation and transferring the case to judicial authorities.

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For years, Hezbollah and its allies accused Judge Bitar of politicizing the case, especially after he issued arrest warrants for high-ranking officials, including former finance minister Ali Hassan Khalil. At the time, Hezbollah‘s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah denounced the judge’s actions and warned of a “major national disaster” if the investigation continued in this direction.

A politically charged investigation

According to the Minister of Justice, the investigation has now reached an advanced stage, although no date has been announced for the final report. Judge Bitar is reportedly preparing to conclude his probe into what he describes as a “major crime.”

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Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that no one is above the law, urging politicians to refrain from interfering in the judiciary. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun echoed that message, stating that the state is committed to uncovering the full truth and holding all responsible parties accountable.

“Justice knows no exceptions,” Aoun declared. “The law will apply to everyone, without discrimination.” He described the explosion as a “heinous crime that shook the conscience of the world”, and assured the victims’ families that “the blood of your loved ones will not have been shed in vain. Justice is coming, and accountability is inevitable.”

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Heading to trial

Judge Tarek Bitar resumed the legal proceedings in January after a two-year hiatus. He is expected to conclude the investigation and forward the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for final review, in preparation for filing formal charges.

From the outset, Lebanese authorities attributed the explosion to the unsafe storage of a large quantity of ammonium nitrate in a port warehouse, following an unexplained fire. It later emerged that several government officials, across different agencies, had been aware of the danger, yet failed to take any preventive action.

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