What the Israelis want is for us to fight among ourselves: in Lebanon, the impossible mission of soldiers facing Hezbollah

The declaration framing the cessation of hostilities, published by Washington during the evening of Thursday, April 16, is clear. The text provides that “the Lebanese government will take concrete measures to prevent Hezbollah and all other non-state armed groups from acting. In practice, it is the responsibility of the Lebanese army to attack their weaponry during the truce.

In Lebanon, opponents of the Shiite movement welcome this direction. “It is time for the Lebanese army to take its responsibilities,” says deputy Jihad Pakradouni. “We have been at war since 1975 and, since then, the army has done nothing. At some point, we must put an end to this situation. It is not possible for a group to hold the whole country hostage.“

The point of view is shared by a part of the political class but also by many Lebanese hostile to Hezbollah. In recent weeks, during its interventions after Israeli strikes, the army has been repeatedly targeted by inhabitants of localities opposed to the Shiite movement. These Lebanese accuse them of being complicit with Hezbollah. Such a climate weighs heavily on the morale of the soldiers. “The men are not doing well,” confides a senior officer, speaking anonymously. “We are being attacked from all sides and the political leaders do not realize the consequences of their decisions.“

“Hezbollah is our enemy”

This unease is also fueled by the instructions imposed on the soldiers. At the end of March, Lebanese soldiers were ordered to evacuate several positions in South Lebanon. Filmed by residents refusing to leave their village, they can be seen withdrawing, aboard their tanks, from localities such as Rmeish, Debel, or Ain Ebel, leaving civilians alone facing Israelis behind them. “As a soldier, defending our territory is part of our DNA,” the officer continues. “We cannot accept seeing a foreign army occupy the country without reacting. And how do you expect us to disarm Hezbollah if we flee, leaving civilians behind?“