Sources close to Judge Tarek Bitar revealed that he had intended to resume the investigations and schedule hearings after the judicial break, with the indictment expected by the end of 2024, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the Beirut Port explosion.

Legal sources told "Nidaa Al-Watan" that "the resumption of investigations will be delayed until the early months of 2025, pending the resolution of ongoing developments on the ground. The general sentiment in the judiciary is one of caution, as such a major and significant case should not be approached with new controversies or large-scale political attacks." The sources questioned, "How can hearings be held, witnesses be summoned, and notifications executed amid airstrikes and the tense situation in the country? It is technically impossible to proceed with the investigation in a regular and organized manner under these circumstances."

The legal sources also revealed that, despite reports that the indictment is nearly finalized, the final steps leading to its release are expected to be completed at an exceptionally fast pace.

On a parallel note,  informed sources suggest that the delay in issuing the indictment may be due to a strategic decision not to provide obstructionists, particularly Hezbollah, with a pretext to take control of the case. After three years of continuous obstacles, they are just waiting for a single mistake to execute a prepared plan to undermine the investigation.

The most pressing question remains: who was behind the explosion that devastated the capital and its people? The answer is no longer far off. Regardless of the outcome, Hezbollah will be at the forefront due to its arrogant behavior, its cover-up of the corrupt, its protection of suspects, and its obstruction of justice. This is worse than being directly convicted of orchestrating the ammonium nitrate storage.

This article was initially published in Arabic in Nidaa Al-Watan newspaper, translated by Christina Rai.