Lebanese people disappointed by Hezbollah's weak resistance

As Israel’s assault on Lebanon escalates and causes more destruction in the Mediterranean nation, it is no surprise that Lebanese anger towards Israel is at an all-time high. At the same time, discontent with Hezbollah is also on the rise.

With 1,400 Lebanese dead and more than 1 million displaced across the country, both Hezbollah critics and supporters have voiced frustration at the group's miscalculation.

"This is a war between Iran and Israel on Lebanese territory. Unfortunately, we are all stuck. Hezbollah continues its war. They do not want to stop and are taking the whole country to hell," said Sami Gemayel, an MP from the Kataeb party, Hezbollah's longtime rival.

Smoke rises in a southern suburb of Beirut after an attack. Photo: Reuters

Families of those killed in the Israeli strikes also blamed Hezbollah, one of Lebanon's largest political parties, for not having adequate plans to evacuate, shelter or rescue civilians.

Weaving through the rubble of the six-story building in the Hezbollah-controlled suburb of Beirut where his brother lived, 40-year-old Shayrat wondered when rescuers would arrive. He said the bodies of his brother, sister-in-law and nephew lay in the rubble.

Hezbollah officials told Mohammad he would have to wait because rescue teams were overwhelmed by the “current situation.” But in a nearby destroyed building, rescue teams were still actively recovering the bodies of Hezbollah members.

"Don't talk about the current situation when you are still taking the bodies of Hezbollah members out and leaving my family under the rubble. Why should my brother and his family wait to be buried?" Mohammad said.

Many blame Hezbollah for causing the latest conflict with Israel.

Mark Daou, a Lebanese MP not affiliated with Hezbollah, said nationalism and anti-Israel sentiment are top of mind for most Lebanese.

"All Lebanese people have a firm stance against Israel. If there is an occupation, anyone who is Lebanese, regardless of sect, has a duty to fight and resist the occupation," he said.

But he stressed that Hezbollah was still responsible for pushing Lebanon into conflict and tied its fate to the situation in Gaza.

Israeli soldiers operate at a location believed to be southern Lebanon. Photo: IDF

Much of the anger toward Hezbollah stems from the group's seemingly rapid destruction, as Israel continues to eliminate its top officials, including longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in a major airstrike last month.

Israel appears to be banking on disillusionment with Hezbollah. On October 8, in a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Lebanese people to rise up and take back their country from Hezbollah, warning them to “save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a protracted war that will lead to destruction and suffering like in Gaza.”

Analysts say Israel has a larger strategy to turn the Lebanese people against Hezbollah.

“The reason Israel doesn’t bomb other areas is because they want to create a very hostile environment for Hezbollah. This shows a much more ambitious plan than just protecting the border,” said Michael Young, an analyst at the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Center.

Ngoc Anh (according to Tribune)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-dan-lebanon-that-vong-truoc-suc-chong-cu-yeu-ot-cua-hezbollah-post316359.html