20 arrested over US embassy attack

Lebanese authorities have arrested 20 individuals following a shooting near the U.S. embassy in Beirut, which was reportedly carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, according to a judicial source cited by AFP.

On Wednesday, a Syrian man was initially arrested in connection with the shooting. A judicial official confirmed that the attacker claimed to have acted “in support of Gaza.”

The U.S. embassy issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledging that “small arms fire was reported in the vicinity of the entrance.” They praised the quick response of the Lebanese army, security forces, and the embassy security team, confirming that both the facility and personnel were safe.

The judicial source indicated that “the number of people arrested over the attack on the American embassy has risen to 20, including the Syrian assailant Qais Farraj, who is receiving care at the military hospital in Beirut.” Among those detained are Farraj’s father, brother, clerics who provided him with religious lessons, and others he frequently contacted.

The source noted that further arrests or releases could occur as the investigation progresses. The investigation aims to determine whether any suspects had connections to an Islamic State group cell or other militant groups. However, current evidence suggests it is unlikely the attack was part of an organized operation.

A security official previously informed AFP that the gunman acted “alone” and that a Lebanese national employed by the embassy sustained a minor eye injury.

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller later mentioned that Washington was aware the arrested individual appeared to be wearing “ISIS insignia,” referring to the Islamic State group. He stated that the U.S. is “conducting a full investigation with the Lebanese authorities into the actual motivations.”