'The Nation is in Turmoil': Fear and Uncertainty Grip Lebanon Amid Israeli Invasion
In recent days, many in Lebanon braced themselves for the inevitable—an Israeli ground incursion into the southern region. Despite initial uncertainty, Israel had made clear that its military offensive against Hezbollah would go beyond just targeting its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, who for over 30 years has symbolized the group. Now that the invasion has been officially confirmed as a “limited, localized, and targeted” operation by Israel’s military, fears are mounting that this could mark the beginning of a larger conflict.
Lebanese citizens are no strangers to the challenges Israeli incursions bring. History has shown that while Israel’s forces may easily enter Lebanon, leaving has often been a more complicated endeavor. “Our country is lost,” one Lebanese friend texted me. Another, reflecting on the uncertainty, simply said, “If you ask me what’s ahead, I’d say we’re in for some very long and difficult days.” A third, more hopeful but cautious, shared, “We just have to pray for the best.”
Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
Lebanon’s Prime Minister has warned that the ongoing Israeli strikes have already displaced a staggering number of people. With reports suggesting that nearly one million Lebanese have been forced from their homes, the country is grappling with both a mounting humanitarian disaster and an alarming casualty count.
While Hezbollah continues to retaliate by launching rockets into Israel, their intensity seems to have diminished compared to earlier in the conflict. It’s unclear if Hezbollah, which has long dominated Lebanon’s military landscape, can still mount a coordinated defense.
Hezbollah’s Role in Lebanon’s Political Landscape
To many in the international community, Hezbollah is viewed primarily as a militant group funded by Iran and labeled as a terrorist organization by nations such as the U.S. and the U.K. But within Lebanon, Hezbollah’s role extends beyond its military operations. It is a political entity, deeply embedded in the fabric of Lebanese society, with significant support and a strong presence in parliament. Often described as a “state within a state,” Hezbollah holds considerable power in Lebanon, overshadowing the Lebanese army in terms of military capability.
Despite being weakened by relentless Israeli airstrikes and high-profile assassinations, Hezbollah remains defiant. In a speech on Monday, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, vowed to resist any Israeli invasion, signaling that the group was far from being defeated. Before this latest escalation, Hezbollah’s arsenal and battle-hardened fighters were regarded as more formidable than the Lebanese army itself, leaving the Lebanese government with little influence over the group’s actions.
For over a year, as Hezbollah engaged in regular cross-border skirmishes with Israel, many Lebanese citizens outside the group’s base of support grew increasingly concerned. Lebanon, already buckling under economic collapse and political deadlock, now finds itself in a conflict it did not choose. With the country lacking a president for nearly two years, the sense of crisis is palpable. Many fear that the present situation mirrors the devastating war of 2006, when Israeli strikes leveled southern Lebanon and Hezbollah’s stronghold in Dahieh, a southern Beirut suburb.
Hezbollah’s Complex Role and Regional Alliances
Hezbollah has always been a controversial force in Lebanon. Its critics, including many of its rivals, see the group as more interested in furthering its own agenda, along with that of its primary backer, Iran. Hezbollah is a key player in Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition of groups across the Middle East, including the Houthis in Yemen and militias in Iraq and Syria, all supported by Tehran. A strong Hezbollah presence in Lebanon is crucial for Iran, particularly as a deterrent against Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities.
Yet, even within Lebanon, opinions about Hezbollah remain sharply divided. As Israeli strikes continue to pound the country, the sentiment of disillusionment grows. A resident standing outside a bombed building in central Beirut recently told me, “I oppose Israel for killing us, but I also oppose Iran for the same reason.”
Still, Hezbollah’s supporters remain unwavering in their loyalty. “We cried tears of blood when Nasrallah was killed by the Israeli strike. He was irreplaceable,” one supporter, forced to flee from Dahieh, told me. “But we’re not afraid. We’re still standing strong.”
As the conflict drags on, uncertainty reigns over Lebanon’s future, and the hope for peace feels like a distant reality.
