Lebanon yearns for peace and deliverance, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Conflict between Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah in Lebanon is ongoing since February 28, 2026, linked but distinct from the conflict with Iran.
• Lebanon has been a battleground for foreign causes against Israel since its creation in 1948, with approximately 500,000 Palestinian refugees residing there.
• Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has become a dominant militia in Lebanon, engaging in conflicts with Israel in 2000, 2006, and after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
• A ceasefire was declared on April 17 by U.S. President Donald Trump, preceded by talks between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors in Washington on April 14, the first contact since the 1990s.

Detailed Insights:

• Lebanon's history includes the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), leading to guerrilla activities against Israel and a civil war in 1975.
• Iran invested billions in Hezbollah, transforming it into a powerful militia and a key part of Iran's "Axis of Resistance," while the fall of the al-Assad regime in Syria weakened Hezbollah.
• The current conflict was triggered by Hezbollah's attack on Israel following a joint air campaign against Iran, leading to intense IDF air attacks and the creation of a buffer zone.
• The Washington process faces challenges due to differing objectives: Lebanon seeks a permanent ceasefire and IDF withdrawal, while Israel aims to disarm Hezbollah, potentially leading to civil war.
• Lebanon has suffered immensely from conflicts, with over 5,282 deaths, 1.2 million displaced, and $8.5 billion in financial losses, leaving 35% of Lebanese below the poverty line by early 2026.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Hezbollah: A Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group.
• IDF (Israel Defense Forces): The military forces of the State of Israel.
• Axis of Resistance: An anti-Israel and anti-Western political alliance between Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups.

West Asia