Jacques Neriah
Israel Today, July 27, 2025
“Buoyed by a landslide victory in municipal elections, Hezbollah continued to defy both the Lebanese government and the US.”
The recent events in Syria—specifically the massacre carried out against the Druze community in Sweida and the subsequent flare-up between Israel and Syria—have overshadowed the tectonic changes unfolding in Lebanon.
During his third visit to Lebanon, US envoy Thomas Barrack stated at a press conference that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, signed on Nov. 26, 2024, had failed. Barrack outlined the reasons for the failure, singling out Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm and the Lebanese government’s inability to disarm the Shi’ite militia.
Barrack emphasized that it was now up to the Lebanese government to find an internal solution, as the US was in no position to ask Israel for further concessions. These would have been contingent on commitments expressed by the Lebanese government and agreed upon by Hezbollah concerning the necessity of disarming the terrorist group.
These statements followed a series of provocations by Hezbollah, which were met with acceptance by the Lebanese government. During the Ashura ceremonies, Hezbollah held an armed parade in the streets of Beirut. Though some participants were apprehended with a promise of prosecution, they were later released.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem reiterated that Hezbollah would not disarm as long as Israel continued to occupy Southern Lebanon. This stance was further justified, in his view, by the jihadist attacks against the Druze in Sweida and the Alawites in northwestern Syria. ….SOURCE