Illusioned are those who think Hezbollah is weakened: Israeli colonel
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An Israeli colonel affirms that Hezbollah has rebuilt its military capabilities and has no intention of giving up its weapons.
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A Supporter of Hezbollah holds up a portrait of Hezbollah's late leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah with Arabic words reading: "We will stay with you," during a rally marking Al-Quds Day, in the Southern Suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, April 5, 2024 (AP)
Reserve Colonel Jack Neriya, former head of Israeli intelligence in Syria and Lebanon, warned against betting on what he called the “illusion that Hezbollah is weakened,” stressing that “the group has rebuilt its military capabilities and has no intention of giving up its weapons.”
In a television interview, Neriya said, “Since November, Hezbollah has reorganized its ranks, resumed manufacturing drones and other weapons, and reaffirmed its decisive commitment to its arms.”
He noted that the rare public appearance of Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, in military attire signals an escalatory course, which comes, according to the Israeli colonel, amid rising tensions between Lebanon and the United States.
These tensions were manifested recently as US envoy Tom Barrack canceled a visit to Tyre and al-Khiam following angry popular protests against US arrogance and complicity in the war.
Regarding Syria, Neriya highlighted Israeli officials’ confirmation of ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a security agreement before the end of September. He explained that “Damascus seeks a return to the 1974 borders and guarantees of calm along the southern front.”
He added that “Israel” seeks to stabilize the Syrian front, given the presence of “common enemies: Iran and Hezbollah,” mirroring a statement by Syria’s transitional head Ahmad al-Sharaa, who once said that “Syria and Israel have common enemies, and we can play a key role in regional security.”
In this context, Neriya called for “seizing the political opportunity to achieve security understandings along the Syrian border.”
US pushes to erode Lebanese sovereignty, Hezbollah aims to strengthen it
This comes as the US delegation, headed by US envoy Tom Barrack, continued to push forward the plan to disarm Hezbollah in a meeting with the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
In statements following the meeting, Barrack said on August 26 the Lebanese government will present a plan to disarm Hezbollah by August 31, while "Israel" is expected to respond step by step, and that "no one wants internal fighting in Lebanon," adding, "We are trying to ensure that the anti-Israel party is unarmed."
US envoy Ortagus added, "We are now in the process of implementing the Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hezbollah," and Congresswoman Shaheen echoed this, saying, "We will continue to support Lebanon through legislation and urge Lebanese leaders to stay on their current path." On his part, Senator Lindsey Graham stressed, "We want a disarmed Hezbollah, and after that, we will talk to Israel," while declining to comment on future Israeli actions before disarmament takes place.
Disarmament decision unfaithful to sovereignty: Sheikh Naim Qassem
Meanwhile, in a speech on August 25, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, stated that the Lebanese government's decision lacks a charter basis and warned that if it continues down this path, it is not acting faithfully toward Lebanon's sovereignty.
Hezbollah's leader also reaffirmed that the Resistance remains a vital pillar of national defense and dignity in Lebanon, emphasizing that its role has grown more crucial than ever in light of increasing aggression and foreign interference.
Sheikh Qassem stated that more than half of Lebanon’s population stands behind the Resistance, united in the defense of the country’s sovereignty, people, and territorial integrity, and stressed that any attempt to dismantle the Resistance’s arms would be equivalent to stripping it of its very soul.
