A dark shadow looms once more over Lebanon and the wider Middle East. In a televised address on Friday, Naim Qassem, the deputy leader of Hezbollah, signaled that the militant organisation may retaliate against Israel soon — a threat many fear could ignite a fresh and devastating war.
The speech came days after Haytham Ali Tabtabai, Hezbollah’s top military commander, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on November 23.
The strike intensified panic in Lebanon, where citizens fear that the next confrontation could be far more destructive than previous conflicts.
Qassem warned that Hezbollah would decide the moment of revenge, declaring:
“Do you expect a war later? It’s possible sometimes.”
His words echoed like a chilling reminder of Lebanon’s violent past — a past filled with ruined homes, mass displacement, death, and years of recovery.
For many Lebanese, the threat feels real and immediate. The country is already crippled by an economic collapse, extreme power shortages, political chaos, and humanitarian suffering. Another full-scale war could push Lebanon into complete ruin.
A Militant Group Known for Armed Confrontation
Hezbollah, designated as a terrorist organisation by multiple countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Israel, and others, has long been accused of prioritising violent militancy over peace and diplomacy.
Security analysts argue that the group has repeatedly dragged Lebanon into destruction through its long-standing commitment to armed conflict, even at the cost of civilian lives and national stability.
The prospect of a renewed confrontation with Israel has terrified many Lebanese residents, particularly in border towns that have faced repeated rocket and artillery exchanges over the years.
International Pressure Mounts
Israel and the United States have intensified calls for Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and other militant groups, a demand that the organisation defiantly rejects.
Hezbollah insists it will not give up its vast weapons arsenal as long as Israel continues military strikes and maintains control over border territories.
But immediately after Qassem’s speech, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee criticised Lebanese authorities, saying their efforts to seize militant weapons were “inadequate” and accusing Hezbollah of manipulating government institutions and hiding its arsenal.
War or Peace? The Future Hangs by a Thread
Qassem claimed he hoped the upcoming visit of Pope Leo could help bring peace, but to many Lebanese civilians, the message seemed contradictory — a call for peace wrapped inside preparations for war.
Fear now spreads faster than political statements. People are stocking supplies, watching borders nervously, and wondering if they once again must send their children underground for safety.
For a nation already struggling to survive, another war could mean total collapse. And as Hezbollah signals readiness for confrontation and Israel signals willingness to respond, the Middle East stands on the edge of yet another storm.
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