Bomb explodes at Hezbollah-backed minister’s home

 A bomb exploded outside of a Hezbollah-backed Lebanese minister’s home on Thursday in the eastern Bekaa valley in the country. The press office of caretaker Public Works Minister, Ali Hamieh, said in a statement that the explosive wrapped in electrical wires exploded in his garden outside his home in Taraya, a village in the Baalbek District of the Baalbek-Hermel Governorate.

No report of casualties has been reported. The security forces are currently investigating the whole matter.

According to media reports, crime rates are usually higher in the Bekaa valley than in other parts of the country. Violent crime has increased rapidly across the country amid an economic crisis that has plunged three-quarters of its population into extreme poverty.

Hezbollah is an Iran-backed group that has well-armed militants. Last month, the head of the Hezbollah group, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, said that the outcome of nuclear talks in Vienna would have no impact on maritime talks aimed at delineating Lebanon's border with Israel. Lebanon is currently trying to reach a solution with Israel to end the maritime border dispute. The tension between the two countries escalated further after the arrival of the Israeli-contracted Energean Power vessel on the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon in June this year. 

Many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany as well as Gulf Arab states and the Arab League, have labeled the entire Hezbollah group a terrorist organization. Hassan Nasrallah is considered a specially designated global terrorist by the United States.

Last month, Nasrallah said that his party was ready to do everything to protect Lebanon’s oil and gas. He said, “We are serious in our fight for our country’s wealth. We are ready for all options in response to Israeli threats.” He also said that his group can strike the Karish field or any other Israeli gas field.