Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.
Qatari PM: We must not surrender to the arrogance of extremists and pursue our quest for a 'two-state solution'

Debunking the US–'Israel' fantasy for Lebanon: The Intercept

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Intercept
  • 22 Oct 2024 14:22
5 Min Read

US-Israeli rumors of Hezbollah's downfall are overstated, and Israeli discussions of a post-Hezbollah Lebanon remain speculative.

Listen
  • x
  • A screengrab of a video showing fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon readying for confrontations in a short clip released October 14, 2024 (Hezbollah Military Media)
    A screengrab of a video showing fighters of the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon readying for confrontations in a short clip released October 14, 2024 (Hezbollah Military Media)

In an opinion piece for The Intercept, Beirut-based journalist Séamus Malekafzali shed light on the complexities of the ongoing Israeli invasion of Lebanon. While Israeli media portrays their military operations as a resounding success, with high-profile PR efforts showcasing captured territory and alleged Hezbollah deserters, the situation on the ground tells a different story.

Malekafzali noted that Israeli advances have rarely extended beyond border towns, and Hezbollah fighters remain active in the region, continuing to inflict casualties on Israeli forces.

He highlighted a recent drone strike by Hezbollah deep into Israeli territory, which killed soldiers at a military base near Haifa, along with missile strikes reaching Tel Aviv. Despite the assassination of key Hezbollah leaders, rumors of the group's downfall have been greatly exaggerated, according to Malekafzali.

Moreover, while "Israel" and the US are already discussing a post-Hezbollah Lebanon, a claimed popular uprising against the organization remains largely speculative. Malekafzali critiqued this vision, noting that Israeli leaders have kept the details intentionally vague, leaving their hopes for a civilian revolt against Hezbollah more as a rhetorical goal than a tangible plan.

Lapid’s vision overlooks Hezbollah’s stronghold and support base

Malekafzali appraised the proposal by Yair Lapid, former Israeli Prime Minister and current opposition leader, to reshape Lebanon in the wake of the Israeli invasion. Despite Lapid’s political differences with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his plan for Lebanon closely mirrors Netanyahu’s, including a controversial call to reestablish the South Lebanon Army—a proxy force that "Israel" supported until 2000. Lapid suggested recruiting Lebanese soldiers with higher salaries, trained by French, Emirati, and American officers, rather than Israelis.

More strikingly, Lapid advocated for dissolving the Lebanese government and placing the country under an international mandate, after which new elections would be held to form a government that excludes Hezbollah.

Related News

US, China to resume talks in Madrid; tariffs, TikTok on agenda

China warns Philippines against provocations in South China Sea

Malekafzali highlighted the inherent absurdity and orientalism of this idea, noting that Hezbollah is not just a powerful military entity but also a political force with significant popular support, particularly in southern Beirut and parts of southern Lebanon. The movement, while not holding the majority in Lebanon’s parliament, garnered the most votes of any single party in the last election and is viewed by many Lebanese as a key defender against Israeli aggression, credited with helping expel Israeli forces in 2000 and rebuilding areas devastated during the 2006 war.

According to Malekafzali, while opposition to Hezbollah exists within Lebanon, the movement remained an integral part of Lebanese society, and any attempt to remove it entirely misunderstands its deep-rooted significance.

US seizes opportunity amid Lebanon war to push for new leadership

Malekafzali highlighted how the United States appears unbothered by "Israel’s" overtly aggressive plans in Lebanon. The US has refrained from advocating for a ceasefire, viewing the ongoing war as an opportunity to weaken Hezbollah’s influence.

As part of this strategy, Washington is reportedly pushing for the election of a new Lebanese president while assuming that Hezbollah’s focus is diverted. US envoy Amos Hochstein inadvertently hinted at this agenda during an interview with LBC, stating, “Until we select — once Lebanon selects a president.” In response to concerns raised by Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker about the safety of Hezbollah MPs, given "Israel’s" assassination strikes against Hezbollah leaders in Beirut, a U.N. coordinator admitted, “No one can guarantee that this will not happen.”

In Malekafzali's view, the United States is crafting an idealized vision of Lebanon, simultaneously engaging with Lebanese leaders and conducting diplomacy while promoting the notion of a future Lebanon where its people "can choose their own representatives."

This rhetoric, as per the author, mirrors George W. Bush's statements about Iraq under Saddam Hussein. However, despite this talk of democratic choice, there is little evidence that the majority of Lebanese citizens would elect representatives that align with US and Israeli approval.

As the US constructs this narrative, the Israeli military actions reflect a belief that Lebanon cannot be entrusted with "true democracy", prompting the expulsion of Lebanese residents from the south, the author wrote.

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari recently claimed that every house in a southern Lebanese village was part of Hezbollah’s infrastructure. Footage has surfaced showing Israeli troops demolishing entire villages with planted explosives.

The piece concluded by suggesting that the US and "Israel" may ultimately back a vision of Lebanon similar to what former Israeli Security Minister Moshe Dayan once envisioned, "One where the south is under Israeli control, and in the seat of power in Beirut, an installed leader who will want nothing more than to give Israel everything it wants."

  • United States
  • Israeli aggression on Lebanon
  • Israeli aggression
  • Israel
  • Hezbollah
  • Israeli occupation
  • Lebanon

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Damage sustained after a Yemeni drone exploded in Ramon Airport, southern occupied Palestine, Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Social Media)

Yemeni drone successfully hits Ramon Airport in southern Palestine

  • Politics
  • 7 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Elon Musk attends a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Elon Musk calls for dissolving UK parliament at London far-right rally

Israeli media: US betrayed Qatar, gave green light for attack on Hamas
Politics

Israeli media: US betrayed Qatar, gave green light for attack on Hamas

Leaked memo shows Trump eyeing Louisiana National Guard plan
Politics

Leaked memo shows Trump eyeing Louisiana National Guard plan

Mamdani vows to arrest Netanyahu if elected New York mayor
Politics

Mamdani vows to arrest Netanyahu if elected New York mayor

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS