This is my most recent video voiceover for South Front, which provides some of the best reporting available on events in West Asia. I do this work as a volunteer because I believe in their integrity – and their value in these difficult times.
Written by Julian Macfarlane, Tokyo based investigative journalist, writer, author, geopolitical and military analyst
Hezbollah Weakened?
This particular report reflects a consensus that Hezbollah has been drastically weakened by a number of factors.
- the assassinations of many of its leaders – such as Nasrallah.
- Israeli bombing of its sites.
- the demise of the Assad regime in Syria and the apparent loss of of supply lines for Iranian weapons.
- Israeli and American pressure on Lebanon and the Lebanese government, along with widespread bombing by Israel of the Lebanese civilian population.
Hezbollah agreed to the American sponsored cease-fire before the fall of the Assad regime —and is still adhering to it– despite the fact that Israel is continues to attack, as the video clearly indicates.
That agreement puts the onus on Lebanon and the Lebanese government to defend southern Lebanon, from which Israel had agreed to withdraw but has not – continuing its attacks on the civilian population – not only in southern Lebanon but elsewhere.
Hezbollah still maintains forces in the South but they do not engage with the Israelis unless attacked.
As you can see from this video, Israeli policy is to try to escalate in Lebanon while Hezbollah adheres to the cease-fire agreement. It is clearly trying to provoke a response from Hezbollah which would stress the group’s relationship with the Lebanese government.
One should be wary of accepting media reports that appear to simplify this complex situation.
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Despite what the Western media are now saying, it is clear Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon failed —which is why they wanted the ceasefire.
Simply put—Israel lost and Hezbollah won.
And now, while supplies of Iranian weapons to Hezbollah have slowed, they have not disappeared – Hezbollah is still receiving military aid from Iran – just as the Houthis are.
How do we know that weapons are still arriving? Because Hezbollah has had to deny using the Port of Beirut to bring in Iranian weapons and supplies! That is likely true— but it indicates that weapons and supplies are continuing to arrive—just somewhere else.
It still has a substantial stock of lethal weaponry that it can launch that Israel would anytime. In fact, its stockpile will have increased! Hezbollah has not been weakened since the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon, reports to the contrary. Most of its facilities are to the north, well-hidden and deep underground.
The failure of the Lebanese government to protect Lebanese civilians from brutal Israeli attacks increases support among the Lebanese public for Hezbollah. It is Hezbollah—not the famously corrupt Lebanese government that helps the public recover from these attacks.
Of course, Western and Zionist propaganda is pervasive– but when your home is destroyed by Israeli bombs during what was supposed to be a cease-fire – and the Lebanese government was supposed to protect you — who do you blame?
The Lebanese need only to look to Syria and the chaos there to see what trust in a weak government and in Israeli and American goodwill results in.
As it stands, Hezbollah is still the main provider of social services in Lebanon – not the government. It is they who provide for the people – who are of course now their main supporters. Unlike the Lebanese government, Hezbollah has a proven record of altruism and sacrifice – and keeps its word. They cannot be bought. Since the disastrous Lebanese Civil war 35 years ago, Hezbollah has proven its worth.
Right now, however, the “narrative” is that Hezbollah is on its way out, weakened and demoralized. It would almost seem that the group wants the West and the IDF to underestimate it.
Reuters, citing an unnamed “senior Hezbollah official”, claimed that Hezbollah is willing to discuss its arms on the condition that Israel halts its aggression and withdraws from the remaining occupied areas in southern. Press TV
Ihab Hamadeh, a Hezbollah lawmaker in an interview to Al Arabiya, however, insisted that Hezbollah does not have “sources” and communicates only on an official basis. which means that Reuter’s report could NOT come from any senior Hezbollah official.
Hamadeh said:
The issue of weapons is an internal matter, and we are prepared to discuss the issue as part of a defensive strategy to ensure Lebanon’s security. It is a Lebanese issue and does not relate to any external factor
In other words, “discussing” the withdrawal of Hezbollah weapons from Southern Lebanon reflects power-sharing and agreements in Lebanon; Hezbollah is not responding to American or Israeli pressure but seeking to accommodate the Lebanese government and military, which is responsible for overseeing the ceasefire in the south.
This arrangement naturally has the advantage of giving fewer excuses for Israeli attacks.
From a propaganda point of view, Hezbollah is following the agreement—the Good Guy. But Israel is not – it is the aggressor—the Bad Guy. .
However, at some point, the gloves will come off. I
Israel – as usual – keeps on escalating, clearly looking for territorial gains in Lebanon as it has achieved in Syria as a result of Syrian disunity. “Greater Israel” naturally includes Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s priority must be to maintain unity in Lebanon, working with the government and not against it— but at the same time definitely not for it— since it is both incompetent and corrupt — while the Israelis demonstrate their malevolence.
If Israel does not comply and the state does not take the necessary steps, we will have no choice but to resort to other options. If we reach a point where the Israeli actions are nothing but killing, destruction, and occupation, we cannot remain spectators,.Sheikh Naim Qassem, Secretary-General, Hezbollah.
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Israel continues to escalate against Hezbollah in Lebanon, making a mockery of the ceasefire brokered by the United States last November. Lebanese people have only to look at Syria to see what the future will bring if Hezbollah cannot defend them. Their government is not going to do that.
Although the Axis of Resistance has also been quiet recently, and there is talk of it disbanding, word is it has been receiving upgraded Iranian drones and missiles in anticipation of Round Two. One can expect that Hezbollah is also taking time now to reorganize and re-equip and re-train, while allowing the Lebanese government to prove how incapable it is.
If war comes, Hezbollah will likely be equipped with much more effective weaponry.
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In the meantime, the ZioNazis continue to wage war against just about everyone.
And the Houthis demonstrate that resistance is not futile.
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