Israeli inquiry reveals Hezbollah suicide bomb behind 1982 explosion at IDF HQ in Tyre
A new commission of inquiry announced on Wednesday that what was thought to be a gas leak explosion at Israel’s military headquarters in Tyre 41 years ago was actually caused by a suicide bomber.
The commission, led by IDF Maj.-Gen. Amir Abulafia and a senior Shin Bet division chief since 2023, has been investigating the explosion on Nov. 11, 1982 that killed 76 Israeli security forces and 15 Lebanese detainees. Numerous investigators and forensic experts involved in the probe determined that a Hezbollah terrorist likely crashed a car loaded with over 20 pounds of explosives and gasoline, causing the multi-story building to collapse.
The commission also questioned the integrity of Israel’s defense department for potentially staging a cover-up at the Tyre military base at the time of the incident and failing to take responsibility for other past shortcomings.
The probe coincides with an ongoing IDF investigation into the defensive failures of Oct. 7, with findings slated to be released later this month.
Commission officials explained that there are valid reasons why the new Tyre investigation reached a different and more thorough conclusion about the disaster compared to the Zorea Commission, which had only a week to produce its results. They also stated that multiple Lebanese witnesses gave statements after the commission’s ruling, admitting they had either seen or heard a white car collide with the building during the attack.
Since the suicide bombing waves of the 1990s, Israeli technological and forensic advances have provided more evidence about the Tyre headquarters bombing, surpassing Israel’s investigative abilities at the time. In addition, mobile car bombing tactics were not recognized as threats in 1982. However, today Israel is accustomed to a wider variety of suicide bomb tactics.
Also, the commission noted that, in 1982, the Israeli government was not fully aware of the Iranian regime's involvement with the Hezbollah organization in Lebanon.
The commission presented more evidence about the 1982 terror attack, including the types of vehicles used, witnesses to the attack, and Arab sources confirming the bombing was carried out by 17-year-old Ahmad Qasir, who terrorists now recognize as a martyr.
The terrorist organization celebrates this attack annually on Nov. 11 as "Hezbollah's Martyr Day."
The members of the commission were selected by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi in conjunction with Shin Bet director, Ronen Bar, and Israel Police Chief Kobi Shabtai.
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The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
