Israel has been striking Hezbollah fighters, weapons depots, and civilians on a near-daily basis since a supposed ceasefire went into effect around this time last year. But the latest strike killing Hezbollah commander Haitham al‑Tabataba’i was the first time Israel has struck Beirut since the truce.
Israel wants Hezbollah to disarm, but most Lebanese Shiites believe they need to retain their arms not only to support the Palestinian cause but also to defend themselves against Israeli aggression and perceived efforts to 'ethnically cleanse' southern Lebanon of its Shiite residents in order to create a buffer zone that protects Israel.
Meanwhile, both Hezbollah and Amal (also a prominent Shiite political party in Lebanon) continue to seek senior state positions for their members, in the hopes that entrenched influence within state institutions, government ministries, public administrations, and security agencies will help them shape both domestic and foreign policy.
Desperation and deflection
But instead of boosting its standing, these moves show Hezbollah's desperation. By repackaging its military setbacks as a victory, it seeks to deflect responsibility from the disaster it invited upon its supporter base, mainly in southern Lebanon.
