Lebanon Caught in the Crossfire Between Iran and Israel: A Nation on the Brink!

 

Lebanon Caught in the Crossfire Between Iran and Israel: A Nation on the Brink

Dr. Pradeep JNA

Lebanon, once a beacon of diversity in the Middle East, now finds itself trapped in the deadly crossfire between Iran and its rivals, particularly Israel and the United States. This long-standing geopolitical struggle has escalated, leaving Lebanon teetering on the edge of deeper instability as foreign powers battle for dominance in the region. The military clashes involving Hezbollah—an Iran-backed, heavily armed political and military faction in Lebanon—against Israel highlight the risks Lebanon faces as it becomes an unwilling participant in a proxy war.

Hezbollah and the Broader Regional Conflict

Hezbollah’s recent actions, including opening a front with Israel in support of Palestinian Hamas, have further dragged Lebanon into a widening conflict. Initially, Hezbollah aimed to contain the violence, but September saw the confrontations escalate into open warfare. The group, which has long received financial and military support from Iran, now finds its future and influence at risk. As experts like Michael Young from the Carnegie Middle East Center suggest, this conflict is essentially a standoff between Tehran and the Israel-U.S. axis, with both sides aiming to shift the balance of power in Lebanon to their advantage.

Washington and its allies, particularly Israel, are using military force to undermine Hezbollah's power base. The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, have both made appeals for Lebanon to distance itself from Hezbollah. Netanyahu even warned that Lebanon could meet the same fate as Gaza if it failed to "save" itself from Hezbollah’s grip.

Yet, Hezbollah shows no sign of backing down, with the group escalating its military activities even further in the face of Israeli airstrikes. The future of Hezbollah, as well as its armed presence, has become a central question not only for Lebanon’s political landscape but also for the broader geopolitical balance in the region.

The Human Cost: Lebanon’s Descent into Crisis

The toll on Lebanon has been devastating. Israel's relentless airstrikes on Hezbollah-related targets—especially Al Qard Al Hassan, a financial organization linked to the group—have crippled vital infrastructure across the country. In areas like Beirut's southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, Israeli air raids have hit civilian and Hezbollah-associated facilities alike. Thousands of civilians have fled their homes in panic, causing mass displacement and heavy traffic congestion in Beirut, Sidon, and Baalbek. The ongoing violence has claimed over 2,400 lives and left more than 11,000 wounded since the conflict intensified in early October.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, has voiced his concerns, lamenting the high price Lebanon continues to pay for being a battleground for foreign conflicts. He has urged for a ceasefire, stressing the importance of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the need to avoid further destruction.

A History of Foreign Intervention

Lebanon has a painful history of being caught between foreign powers. The Israeli invasion of 1982, which sought to oust the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from Lebanon, still haunts the collective memory of many Lebanese. Back then, Israel hoped to reshape Lebanon’s political landscape in its favor. Today, a similar scenario is unfolding, with Israel now aiming to dismantle Hezbollah’s grip on the country. The risk, however, is that the sectarian tensions fueling Hezbollah's support among the Shia population could escalate into a broader civil conflict.

The Role of Iran and the International Community

Tehran has remained steadfast in its support for Hezbollah, with high-level Iranian officials visiting Beirut to express their backing. Iran has tied any ceasefire in Lebanon to a halt in fighting in Gaza, further complicating the prospect of de-escalation. For Iran, Hezbollah represents a vital part of its regional strategy, and abandoning the group would mean losing its foothold in the Eastern Mediterranean.

However, Lebanon’s fragile political system, already struggling to elect a president, is being tested. Many political leaders, although opposed to Hezbollah, are treading cautiously, avoiding actions that could further isolate the Shia community, which largely supports Hezbollah. Despite the intense pressure from foreign governments and the ongoing violence, experts like Kim Ghattas emphasize that the country’s factions seem to have learned from past mistakes, as they navigate a delicate balance between diplomacy and sectarian conflict.

A Fragile Future

The Israeli military’s campaign against Hezbollah is far from over, and with each passing day, Lebanon’s civilian population suffers more. The ongoing conflict is a stark reminder of how Lebanon has become a pawn in a broader geopolitical game. The international community, particularly the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), has urged for restraint, but with escalating airstrikes and the destruction of key Hezbollah-linked sites, the country remains caught in a dangerous cycle of violence.

For Lebanon, the road to stability seems distant. As foreign powers continue to battle over influence in the region, the Lebanese people are left to bear the brunt of the fallout. Without immediate diplomatic intervention and a strategic de-escalation, Lebanon risks sliding further into a prolonged and devastating conflict that could have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East.