Beirut
Lebanon in Crises: Anger Towards Israel and Hezbollah
As Israel’s invasion of Lebanon intensifies, anger among the Lebanese with Israel is, not surprisingly, at an all-time high. However, displeasure with its foe, Hezbollah, is also growing.
Growing Frustration with Hezbollah
With 1,400 Lebanese dead and more than 1 million displaced nationwide – a fifth of the country’s population – Hezbollah critics and supporters alike are voicing frustration over what many view as the group’s miscalculations.
"This is a war between Iran and Israel on Lebanese territory," said Sami Gemayel, an MP with the Kataeb party, a long-time rival of Hezbollah.
Unfortunately, today, we’re all stuck. Hezbollah is continuing its war. It’s not willing to stop, and is taking the whole country to hell with it.
Faulting Hezbollah for the Conflict
Family members of those killed in Israeli attacks are also blaming Hezbollah – an Iran-backed militant group and one of Lebanon’s biggest political parties – for lacking adequate plans to evacuate, shelter or rescue them.
Hezbollah’s Blunders
Hezbollah officials told Mohammad, a man who is waiting for recovery crew workers to arrive, that he would have to wait because crews were already overburdened due to "the situation." But workers were actively recovering the bodies of Hezbollah members in a destroyed building nearby.
Critics Cry Foul
Many fault Hezbollah for starting the latest conflict with Israel.
A day after Palestinian militants from Hamas attacked southern Israel and sparked the Israel-Hamas war last October, Hezbollah joined the fight by launching a barrage of missiles and rockets at northern Israel.
Hezbollah said it was seeking to aid Hamas and force Israel to fight on two fronts.
Criticism Extends to Iran
The criticism has extended to Iran, with a growing suspicion among die-hard Hezbollah supporters that a lack of a meaningful response to Nasrallah’s killing was proof that the group was sold out by Tehran.
*This couldn’t have happened without betrayal," said a Hezbollah supporter who lived in a Hezbollah-dominated area until his home was destroyed in an airstrike targeting what the Israeli military said was a weapons cache.
Conclusion
The sense of desperation is palpable in Lebanon as the conflict rages on. With the death toll mounting and more than 1 million displaced, the anger and frustration among the Lebanese people are understandable. While the Israeli invasion must be condemned, the actions of Hezbollah are also being closely scrutinized. The question on everyone’s mind is: can Lebanon recover from this devastating conflict?
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Lebanon?
A: The country is in a state of devastation, with over 1,400 people killed and more than 1 million displaced.
Q: Who is responsible for the crisis?
A: Israel’s invasion of Lebanon is widely condemned, but many are also criticizing Hezbollah for starting the latest conflict with Israel.
Q: What is the role of Iran in the conflict?
A: Iran is accused of backing Hezbollah and supporting its actions, leading to widespread criticism of the country’s involvement.
Q: What is the future of Lebanon?
A: The future of Lebanon looks uncertain, as the country grapples with the devastating consequences of the conflict. Many fear a repeat of the sectarian bloodletting that engulfed Lebanon during its 15-year civil war.
