A Lebanese army soldier carries the coffin of officer Mohammad Farhat, killed in an Israeli strike along with two other soldiers in southern Lebanon, during an official ceremony to honor him, Oct. 26, 2024, in Beirut. (Credit: Yara Nardi/Reuters)
“Today, I will not accuse anyone. But I ask the Lebanese Army, which is responsible for protecting our maritime borders, to issue a statement explaining to the public how this violation occurred. Even if it admits it was helpless and powerless.”These words, more sermon than suggestion and with a hint of threat, were delivered by new Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, in a pre-recorded speech last Wednesday.He was commenting, among other topics, on the recent abduction of a Lebanese trainee mariner in Batroun by an Israeli naval commando.The tone alone jolted me out of my numbness.Since Lebanon’s downward spiral began in September, I’ve struggled to write a single word. Not for lack of ideas, questions, or anger. But I felt this was not the time for words.It was a time for human solidarity, respect for the suffering of the Lebanese...
“Today, I will not accuse anyone. But I ask the Lebanese Army, which is responsible for protecting our maritime borders, to issue a statement explaining to the public how this violation occurred. Even if it admits it was helpless and powerless.”These words, more sermon than suggestion and with a hint of threat, were delivered by new Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, in a pre-recorded speech last Wednesday.He was commenting, among other topics, on the recent abduction of a Lebanese trainee mariner in Batroun by an Israeli naval commando.The tone alone jolted me out of my numbness.Since Lebanon’s downward spiral began in September, I’ve struggled to write a single word. Not for lack of ideas, questions, or anger. But I felt this was not the time for words.It was a time for human solidarity, respect for the suffering of the...
