Debunking the myth of Hezbollah's 'supportive' war over Gaza

Since 8 October and the start of the "support battle," Israel has continued to threaten Lebanon – all of Lebanon – with a devastating war. Israeli officials assert that the July 2006 conflict would pale in comparison to the consequences if Hezbollah were to exceed certain operational boundaries against Israel.

In such a scenario, all of Lebanon would be targeted for military operations, exacerbating the already fragile state of its infrastructure, undermined by widespread corruption and a severe economic crisis. These Israeli warnings have become a subject of derision for some Lebanese, especially when Israel threatens to cut off electricity to Lebanon.

On the other hand, Lebanon does not appear to be a primary concern on Hassan Nasrallah's agenda. In 2006, Lebanon enjoyed support from allies in both the Arab and Western spheres. Today, Lebanon seems isolated, save for a few sympathisers who consistently caution against the risks of impending conflict. The presidency remains vacant, the government is ineffective and paralyzed, and it is also complicit in Hezbollah's various activities.

Expanding conflict

Hezbollah is entangled in regional conflicts, spanning from Syria to Iraq and Yemen, alongside efforts with Iran and the Syrian regime to undermine stability in Jordan. Presently, its threats have extended to Cyprus, a refuge for many Lebanese escaping the ongoing conflicts in their homeland.

The "support battle" failed to diminish the brutality of the Israeli war on Gaza, nor did it alleviate the suffering of Palestinian victims, including children, by even a single life.

When Israel targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Iran responded with careful restraint, ensuring its regional interests and ongoing negotiations with the United States in Muscat, Doha, and Iraq were unaffected. Despite this, Iran continues to assert itself as the vanguard of the "resistance" axis.

Tehran aims to continue the fight against Israel, seemingly at the cost of Arab lives, while Hezbollah appears willing to exhaust Lebanese resources and lives, not primarily to support Palestine but to bolster Iran's negotiating leverage with the West.

Just days ago, Iran's Acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, openly declared that their disputes with the United States are rooted in disagreements over regional influence: "We did not accept the share they allocated to us and are seeking to obtain our share in the region." They show no hesitation in revealing their intentions, nor do their proxies in the region shy away from destabilising their own countries to serve Iran's interests.

Lebanon finds itself in a precarious situation, whether the conflict escalates or not. The state teeters on the edge of collapse, with its rulers acting as mediators between Hezbollah and the international community.

Should war erupt, Lebanon will bear the brunt of the consequences, with no apparent compensation in sight. If conflict is avoided, Lebanon remains ensnared by Hezbollah's influence from north to south; its government reduced to a mere messenger while politicians squabble over what little remains after Hezbollah's dominance.

In essence, this struggle revolves around geopolitical interests rather than a genuine concern for Palestine.