Hezbollah supporters return to the southern suburbs of Beirut a few hours after the cease-fire came into effect, on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/OLJ)
What is left of Hezbollah? In the past 14 months, Hezbollah has lost its secretary-general, dozens of its commanders and hundreds of its fighters, not to mention its infrastructure and military equipment that have gone up in smoke.The damage inflicted upon its strongholds in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and Beirut suburbs is estimated at several billions of dollars. On the other hand, the reputation reflecting their ability to deter Israel and prevent it from attacking Lebanon has been defamed and can hardly be repaired. This lackluster record can fundamentally change Hezbollah, and mainly question its dominance over the Lebanese political life — and the party seems to be aware of this. “The end of the war will undoubtedly pave the way for a new phase in Lebanese political life,” a Hezbollah source told L’Orient-Today. “The party is...
What is left of Hezbollah? In the past 14 months, Hezbollah has lost its secretary-general, dozens of its commanders and hundreds of its fighters, not to mention its infrastructure and military equipment that have gone up in smoke.The damage inflicted upon its strongholds in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and Beirut suburbs is estimated at several billions of dollars. On the other hand, the reputation reflecting their ability to deter Israel and prevent it from attacking Lebanon has been defamed and can hardly be repaired. This lackluster record can fundamentally change Hezbollah, and mainly question its dominance over the Lebanese political life — and the party seems to be aware of this. “The end of the war will undoubtedly pave the way for a new phase in Lebanese political life,” a Hezbollah source told L’Orient-Today. “The...
