War between Hezbollah and Israel deepens fractures in Lebanon

(Reuters)

BEIRUT, March 27 – War between Israel and Hezbollah is pushing Lebanon’s fragile state and society towards breaking point, straining sectarian and political faultlines as Shi’ite Muslims are displaced and enmity deepens between the Iran-backed group and its opponents.

Of all Lebanon’s many crises since a 1975-90 civil ​war, the renewed conflict ignited by the Iran war could be its most destabilising, Lebanese analysts and figures from across the political spectrum say.

Israel has threatened Gaza-like destruction and an occupation of the south and there are acrid splits in Lebanon over ‌Hezbollah’s weapons, which the group has refused to give up despite a year-long effort by the state to disarm it peacefully.

Israeli bombardment and orders for people to leave have driven Hezbollah’s Shi’ite constituents into Christian, Druze and other areas, where many blame the group for starting a war in support of Tehran only 15 months after the last one.

Local authorities are vetting displaced people seeking rented accommodation, fearing the presence of anyone who might be a target for Israel.

Tensions between Hezbollah and the government are worsening. The administration led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun has banned Hezbollah’s military wing, called for talks with Israel and demanded Iran’s ambassador leave.

Hezbollah official Mahmoud ​Qmati has compared the government to the Vichy France leaders sentenced to death for collaborating with Nazi Germany in World War Two.

“We are capable of turning the country upside down,” he told a Lebanese media outlet although he later said his remarks were ​taken out of context.

Druze lawmaker Wael Abu Faour says internal tensions are increasing because of political divisions over the war and displacement and “the defiant rhetoric from more than one side”.

“This exacerbates fears for internal ⁠stability,” he said.