The renewed conflict in Lebanon’s long-standing battleground poses the risk of escalating beyond its current state. Yet, even with a series of decisive strikes, the fundamental ideological divide and years of hostility that underlie this struggle will remain unbridged, as noted by Brent Sadler.
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In modern warfare, if satellites have taken on the role of artillery, as suggested in the classic James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statements can be seen as a verbal bombshell that resonates across the globe. He referred to Hezbollah as a “gang of tyrants and terrorists,” calling upon the Lebanese populace to liberate themselves from this militant group.
Netanyahu warned, “You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering, as we see in Gaza. It doesn’t have to be that way.” While similar sentiments have been expressed by him in the past, this occasion feels particularly charged and fraught with tension.
By urging the Lebanese to distance themselves from Hezbollah, an organization that is significantly more powerful than the national armed forces, Netanyahu risks exacerbating existing tensions in a nation already riddled with deep sectarian divides and political instability. Any grassroots movement aimed at overthrowing Hezbollah could quickly devolve into violent chaos, dragging various factions into conflict, intensifying long-standing rivalries, and further destabilizing Lebanon.
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Since the assassination of Hezbollah’s leader nearly two weeks ago, the group has suffered considerable losses due to Israeli airstrikes. However, Hezbollah is far from being leaderless. The ongoing rocket attacks from Hezbollah targeting key locations in Israel, such as the critical port city of Haifa, underscore the group’s resilience and its capability to retaliate even amidst leadership turmoil.
Despite these challenges, Hezbollah remains steadfast and undefeated. My past interactions, including several interviews with the assassinated leader, allow me to vividly recall the moment of his demise and the complexity surrounding it. In one of the most extensive airstrikes on an urban area in recent history, Israel unleashed around 80 tonnes of explosives, employing munitions specifically designed to penetrate fortified underground structures.
This unprecedented military action marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict and highlighted the lengths to which Israel is willing to go to eliminate what it perceives as a persistent threat. The scale and precision of these strikes serve as a stark reminder of how warfare has evolved in the region.
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Accessing the terror chief was always a perilous endeavor, cloaked in secrecy and fraught with tension. The operations resembled an intricate game of shadows, carefully designed to obscure his precise location. Journalists, often blindfolded and accompanied by fiercely protective gunmen, navigated through twisting alleyways and narrow streets, being taken to undisclosed locations, whether above or below ground.
Once enveloped in darkness, a state of sensory deprivation became a constant experience until the blinding return to daylight offered a fleeting opportunity to meet with Nasrallah himself. This hidden world, shrouded in secrecy and fortified underground, is being methodically dismantled by Israeli forces, strike by strike. Each assault reveals the intricate web of power and fear that Hezbollah has constructed, exposing vulnerabilities in what was once perceived as an impregnable structure.
The reaction to Nasrallah’s death illustrates the division within Lebanon. While a portion of the population was left in shock, mourning, and outrage, another segment felt little sorrow. Grief engulfed one faction, while another simmered with frustration over a leader whose actions consistently drove the nation to the brink of disaster.
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The ongoing conflict targets not only Hezbollah’s leadership but also aims to undermine the very foundations of this clandestine organization. Reports suggest that Hezbollah’s creators in Tehran may be planning a final, orchestrated display for Nasrallah. There are claims that his body, if it exists, has been temporarily buried, waiting for a grand relocation to Iran. This gesture could serve as a potent symbol: despite current setbacks, Hezbollah remains resolute and undefeated. Such a display would not only honor Nasrallah’s legacy but also reinforce the narrative of resistance, galvanizing supporters and asserting that the group continues to stand strong.
The societal divide within Lebanon is mirrored by broader national fractures, reflecting a populace torn between unwavering loyalty to resistance and an urgent desire for peace. Hezbollah, known as the self-proclaimed “Party of God,” has a complex history marked by its early years in the 1980s, which were characterized by a brutal campaign of suicide bombings targeting American and European interests in Lebanon. These attacks had devastating effects, inflicting heavy casualties and instilling fear across the region.
This atmosphere of relentless violence turned Lebanon into a battleground of terror, where death could strike indiscriminately in embassies, military bases, or civilian neighborhoods. The pervasive turmoil destabilized the region and solidified Hezbollah’s image as a formidable and ruthless force.
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At the core of the long-standing conflict remains a common objective: the liberation of Palestine and the eradication of what is termed the “Zionist entity.” Evolving within the impoverished neighborhoods of South Beirut, Hezbollah found its footing as Iran seized the opportunity to advance its strategic ambitions in the region.
This marked a new chapter, as Tehran began to leverage Hezbollah as a key player in a broader strategy aimed at extending its influence throughout the Middle East. Yet, amid these developments, the quest for liberation continues to resonate deeply among Hezbollah’s supporters.
The assassination of Rafik Hariri, the Saudi-backed Sunnite Prime Minister of Lebanon, in 2005 by members of Hezbollah sent shockwaves through the nation. His death was a significant turning point that signaled the onset of increased violence and targeted attacks. The aftermath of his assassination was marked by a series of car bombings and further political killings, primarily targeting those who advocated for Lebanon’s independence from Syrian domination and Iran’s expanding influence.
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The last time Israeli forces entered southern Lebanon was in 2006, when Hezbollah successfully resisted a ground invasion, resulting in a military stalemate. During that conflict, I witnessed how Israel targeted civilian infrastructure in an attempt to drive a wedge between Hezbollah’s supporters and detractors. This time around, Israel seems to have refined its strategy, focusing more intently on dismantling Hezbollah’s leadership and military capabilities.
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As the situation in Lebanon continues to unfold, the conflict remains rooted in a complex tapestry of history, ideology, and deep-seated divisions. The resilience of Hezbollah, coupled with the ideological fervor that drives its supporters, complicates the prospect of a resolution. The ongoing tensions, coupled with the calls for change from leaders like Netanyahu, only serve to deepen the existing fractures within Lebanese society.
Lebanon stands at a critical juncture, caught between the persistent shadow of Hezbollah’s influence and the broader aspirations for peace and stability. As the conflict rages on, the call for change echoes throughout the nation, but the path to a lasting resolution remains fraught with challenges. The interplay of local, regional, and international dynamics will continue to shape the future of Lebanon, with the ideological chasm and historical grievances fueling a cycle of violence that is difficult to break. Only time will tell how Lebanon navigates this complex landscape, and whether a new era of peace can emerge from the ashes of conflict.
