Lebanon’s hazardous developments on the ground

Two speeches and a threat that has the potential to alter regional maps dramatically… So, what are they?

Please pay great attention and avoid becoming preoccupied with the US-Iran negotiations by analysing or wagering on them. The current situation in Lebanon, with the developments and courageous national stances of the resistance led by Hezbollah, is the most significant summary of the journey to build the new Middle East, restore dignity to Arab and Islamic nations, and defeat the American-Israeli colonial project.

Two important speeches, along with an unprecedentedly aggressive Israeli threat, confirm our previous statements and mark the return of the Arab-Zionist conflict to its fundamental roots. This event heralds a phase of change that will lift the region and the nation from their current state of humiliation, disgrace, and defeat and restore the only truly effective option: resistance in all its forms, especially armed struggle.

The first speech was delivered by Sheikh Naim Qassem, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, who harshly attacked the normalisation negotiations that the Lebanese government is currently engaged in, calling them a grave betrayal. He requested an immediate departure from them, stating, “Understand in clear Arabic, disarmament means the elimination of the resistance and Lebanon, which we will not tolerate.” It is a betrayal, and Israel, along with all those who face us, will combat it with all our power, honour, and sacrifice. If the administration is inept, it should quit.”

Most crucially, Sheikh Qassem reiterated, “Palestine is the compass, and the Lebanese people have the right to take to the streets to overthrow this authority and resist the American-Israeli project with all their might.”

Mr. Nabih Berri, Speaker of Parliament and leader of the “Amal” Movement, presented the second speech on the anniversary of the resistance’s victory against the Israeli occupation and the liberation of Lebanese land in 2000, as well as the Israeli army’s retreat to minimise losses.

Mr Nabih Berri, in his “rare” and more “frank” statement, agreed with Sheikh Qassem in defining the current Lebanese scenario with remarkable precision, saying, “Lebanon has been subjected to a continuous extermination war for three years and the destruction of all aspects of life.” He closed his address with the following brilliant phrase: “The liberation of the land in 2000 was the lesser jihad, while preserving it is the greater jihad.” Together, we gained liberty, and we are capable of liberating and rebuilding Lebanon.

The third threatening speech came from General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, who confirmed in the Israeli war cabinet meeting last night, chaired by Benjamin Netanyahu, the decision to strike the capital, Beirut’s, infrastructure in response to Hezbollah drone attacks, which have become a source of concern and terror for Israel and its army.

Mr Nabih Berri’s and Naeem Qassem’s speeches share a common goal: to rally the Lebanese people behind the resistance, beginning with the honourable Shia community that leads it, and to isolate the other forces that stand in the trench of surrender, raising white flags for the Israeli enemy, the United States, and its internal Zionist arms.

General Zamir’s warning to target infrastructure in Lebanon’s capital means that Beirut Airport, and possibly its port, will be shut off from all lifelines to the country. Despite the gravity of this danger, carrying it out will be in Lebanon’s long-term interests since it will result in the unification of the vast majority of the Lebanese people, based on the idea that “good may come from the depths of evil.”

The majority of Lebanese are well aware that their major crisis stems from the United States’ complete endorsement of Israeli aggression, the occupying state’s total disregard for the ceasefire agreement, which it has violated more than 8,000 times, and its continuous acts of killing and destruction without pause. They also believe that the resistance honoured and adhered to this agreement for more than a year and a half, demonstrating strategic patience and self-control by firing no shots in response to these provocations.

Despite rushing to normalise relations in Washington meetings and violating all values by entering into joint military negotiations to devise plans for disarming Hezbollah, the Lebanese government was unable to persuade Washington to end Israel’s war of extermination and destruction against Lebanon and its people, as well as to halt assassination operations against its honourable citizens.

Lebanon, the “thermometer” of honour, nationalism, and Arab and Islamic dignity, is returning for the third time, stronger and more resilient, to lead the resistance against American and Israeli occupations in the region and cleanse it of the impurities of normalisation that have accumulated. It is deserving of this because the issue is not quantity or population, but will and true men.

The Lebanese leadership triumvirate of former President Emile Lahoud, Nabih Berri, and Salim al-Hoss supported the resistance to liberate Lebanese land in 2000. It is clear that if the Lebanese people take to the streets, they will bring forth a comparable trio to entirely liberate the land, reconstruct it, and sweep away all occupation agents and those who believe in the false American protection. The Americans and occupation agents will eventually meet their end.

Lebanon’s hazardous developments on the ground