Lebanese Army Moves Against Hezbollah Near Border with Israel

What Happened?

Lebanon’s Army has increased the number of troops deployed to the southern border with Israel, in an effort to dislodge Hezbollah from many of the terrorist groups established fighting positions there.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Gaza called for the gradual deployment of 10,000 Lebanese soldiers, who will be responsible for confiscating Hezbollah arms and dismantling the Islamist group’s positions in the south. The most recent addition of 1,500 new troops to Lebanon’s south has been part of that effort.

Why it Matters

Before the Israel Gaza war, the notion of Lebanon’s military directly challenging Hezbollah would have been unthinkable. Hezbollah had a strong military presence in Lebanon along with a considerable degree of government and popular support. But the war in Gaza has changed the reality in Lebanon for Hezbollah.

The Israeli military has been very successful in finding and eliminating Hezbollah leaders, along with their equipment and storage facilities for arms and ammunition. The clear military defeat handed to Hezbollah by Israel, and the group’s inability to do anything to stop Israeli airstrikes against targets in Lebanon, has also undercut some of the popular support for the group there.

As a result, Hezbollah is now at its weakest point in decades. Which is likely the reason why Lebanon’s government felt confident enough to send the Lebanese Army after Hezbollah fighters in the south. That area has received the majority of Israeli airstrikes against targets in Lebanon, and consequently it’s also where Hezbollah forces have been hit the most.

Hezbollah still retains a strong presence in Lebanon as a whole, and the war with Gaza has inflamed its most committed followers. But the feeling among the Lebanese public has shifted against Hezbollah, and the government’s recent military actions reflect that change in opinion. If Lebanon’s Army is successful in clearing out Hezbollah from Lebanon’s south, it could lead to future efforts to push the group out of other parts of the country. 

Its too early to say this could be the beginning of the end for Hezbollah in Lebanon. But the moves by Lebanon’s government against Hezbollah are encouraging. Iran has not had time to replenish Hezbollah’s losses both in terms of people and material, and they will likely try to do so in the immediate future. Especially since the cease fire between Israel and HAMAS has effectively ended.

How it Affects You

Lebanon’s moves against Hezbollah contain much potential but also a lot of risk. If the Lebanese Army is successful in its operations against Hezbollah, it could encourage other Arab governments to take sterner measures against terrorist groups across the Levant. That could lead to a decline in the global jihadist movement.

The risk is that Hezbollah might recover its losses, then take vengeance not only against Israel but against Lebanese officials as well.