Every Lebanese Knows Hezbollah is Dragging Lebanon Down But… They Rely on Israel to Do the Needful
Recent interviews of Lebanese officials and civilians show tough talk against Israel. Understandably, Israel is the one firing shots at targets in Lebanon at this time. Thus, there is an immediate anger against Israel for causing mass displacement and destruction of properties. However, no one seems to be upset about Hezbollah and its destabilizing actions in Lebanon and the region. This article examines the damage Hezbollah has done to Lebanon and the prospects of Israel’s current onslaught in helping Lebanon as a country.
Lebanon’s Government is Not in a Position to Limit Hezbollah
Hezbollah is highly entrenched in Lebanese society. Lebanon’s fragile government, presiding over a devastated economy, is closer to a constitutional crisis than a functional state. Secondly, any attempt by Lebanon’s government to stop Hezbollah will lead to a civil war. Chances are that Lebanon’s military cannot defeat Hezbollah.
Many in Lebanon are frustrated due to the harsh economic conditions and crisis in the country. A civil war will be bitter and highly damaging. Many Lebanese people are authentically angry. If a war erupts, it will create a lot of destruction before it is stopped. Furthermore, when a civil war occurs in Lebanon, the world will look the other way. A case in point is Syria and Sudan. No one can intervene in a civil war since it is an internal issue.
The Inevitability of an Israeli Incursion on Lebanon
The fragile Lebanese government knows clearly that any Israeli incursion will draw the international community to Lebanon. At least, an Israeli attack on Lebanon will come with a clear and identifiable aggressor. A civil war will involve accusations and counter-accusations which cannot be resolved easily.
Thus, it is clear that most people in Lebanon prefer an Israeli military action ahead of a civil war with Lebanese killing each other.
Furthermore, Hezbollah turned its guns on fellow Lebanese nationals in the quest to consolidate its position on national matters. It is well known that Hezbollah nearly rose up against the Lebanese government when they sought to disable their private communication in 2008. All of this shows clearly that the state-within-a-state component of Hezbollah’s militant status cannot be stopped.
However, Hezbollah destroyed itself by becoming a client statelet of Iran in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah converted towns and suburbs of southern Lebanon into Iran’s 32nd province. Hassan Nasrallah and other leaders of Hezbollah invoked absolute authority. Until his demise, Nasrallah had the power and authority to start wars and end wars under what his followers considered to be divine.
It is, therefore, clear that every adult knows what is going on, but Lebanon is in a gridlock. Israel’s bombardment of southern Lebanon is inevitable.
Israel’s Goals in South Lebanon – Where Does the Lebanese Government Come In?
An important thing everyone overlooks is that calls for a ceasefire involve a return to the same old mechanism. The last Israel-Hezbollah war ended in 2006 with a UN-brokered ceasefire. People are demanding the same outlet for the war.
In line with this, Israel’s announced intention in Lebanon to destroy Hezbollah’s capability to rearm and restart firing into Israel. The execution of Hassan Nasrallah and the old generation of Hezbollah leaders means the link to Iran’s regime cannot be re-established easily. It will take a while for Hezbollah to recover and re-arm.
Therefore, the Lebanese government will have to pick up at some point to re-establish the economy.
Lebanon will gain access to international aid to rebuild. And there can be a lot of support around the world to help Lebanon’s government thrive. This is a unique opportunity for Lebanon to rise above the limitations and restrictions caused by Hezbollah’s rise due to the supply of Iranian arms.
Conclusion
Hezbollah, before this Israeli onslaught, became too powerful for Lebanon to control. Their participation in the Syrian civil war gave them extreme military leverage. Any confrontation by the Lebanese state will lead to a civil war. These precipitating factors made Israel the sole regional military power that could confront and eliminate Hezbollah’s military prowesses. Now that Israel has made some gains in Hezbollah territories of the country, the Lebanese government must pick up the pieces and rebuild the country.
