A few things about the tragedy in Beirut.
1.) The 2700 tons of ammonium nitrate, a volatile dangerous chemical also used in fertilizer, that was stored in the Beirut port warehouse, had been, according to Israel media reports, owned by a Russian company that went bankrupt in 2014.
2.) Ammonium nitrate is used to prepare bombs. For example, according to Wikipedia, "Timothy James McVeigh was an American domestic terrorist who carried out the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people and injured more than 680 others, and destroyed one third of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building." Some observers speculate that the warehouse was used as a storage facility by Hezbollah, the terrorist organization based in Lebanon.
3.) Several Lebanese port authority workers have been arrested on suspicion of corruption in allowing the dangerous chemical to sit in the warehouse for six years.
4.) Critics are now questioning if Hezbollah was using the warehouse to store the material until they needed it and wonder speculate that the terrorist organization has many other sites within the city storing weapons, missiles and other explosives.
5.) Port inspectors warned authorities months ago that the ammonium nitrate in the warehouse was extremely dangerous and could wipe out Beirut if it exploded. In fact, as of now, nearly 150 people have been reported as deceased, nearly 5,000 wounded, and over 200,000 displaced from their homes. it is estimated that half of Beirut was indeed destroyed.
6.) Was there a correlation between a Lebanese court order placing the chemicals in the port and leaving it there and the Hezbollah terrorist organization? And more, was there a connection between Hezbollah and Russia other than the fact that the former owner of the material was Russian?
These and other questions will be raised and perhaps even answered. Although, given the corruption rampant in Lebanon and the fact Hezbollah is a legitimate member of the Lebanese government, the real culprits responsible for the blast may never be found, just as the perpetrators of the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Harrari was never solved.
7.) According to CNN, " It's still not exactly clear what led to the ignition that wiped out entire streets, but questions swirled Wednesday over whether the authorities had failed to act on warning signs."
8.) Israel has vehemently denied any connection to the explosion. Foreign Minister Ashkenazi said on Israel TV Channel 12 that Israel would never have blown up that warehouse in the midst of an urban population. Other commentators said that when Israel did bomb Beirut during the last war in Lebanon it was in retaliation for thousands of missiles Hezbollah rained upon Israel. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai had the Tel Aviv city hall decorated with lights that formed a Lebanese flag. Israel also offered aid in any form necessary to help with the Lebanese relief effort.
