Beirut Rallies to Honor a Slain Hizbollah Leader
Thousands of Hizbollah supporters gathered on a Saturday in Beirut to pay tribute to the movement’s charismatic leader, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese capital on 27 September 2024. The ceremony underscored the enduring influence of Hizbollah in Lebanon even as the group faces a shifting political landscape and a series of battlefield strikes that have strained its military strength.
The gathering occurred at a moment when Hizbollah’s grip on Lebanese politics is widely seen as eroding. Reports suggest the movement is operating without the central figure most closely associated with its resolve, Nasrallah, at a time when its military capabilities appear weakened in the wake of repeated Israeli assaults. Beirut, meanwhile, has signaled a new push toward disarmament, placing the issue at the heart of domestic and regional tensions.
Qassem’s Televised Vow: Weapons Not and Won’t Be Abandoned
During a television address to the large crowd gathered on the outskirts of Beirut, Naim Qassem, a senior Hizbollah official, asserted a stark position: “We never abandon our weapons, nor will we refrain from using them. We are ready for martyrdom.” The remarks reflected a message of steadfast fidelity to the group’s armed posture, a stance that continues to shape Lebanon’s political calculations and its negotiations with regional and international actors.
Imposed Disarmament vs. Practical Realities
Israel has repeatedly demanded that Hizbollah disarm, and the Lebanese government under President Joseph Aoun has signaled a commitment to pursue this objective. However, observers caution that the practical path to disarmament remains murky. Independent analysts widely agree that the Lebanese military lacks the capacity to enforce such a move on its own, particularly against a well-entrenched and deeply embedded paramilitary force like Hizbollah.
The call for disarmament must also contend with a fragile ceasefire framework that has been strained by near-daily Israeli violations of the November ceasefire that was intended to limit hostilities with the group. The dynamic is further complicated by Hizbollah’s continued influence in Lebanon’s security and political landscape, even as other state and non-state actors seek to recalibrate the balance of power in the region.
Global Designations and Political Implications
International responses to Hizbollah remain varied. Several countries have designated the organization as a terrorist entity, while others have restricted the designation to its armed wing. The European Union, for instance, has treated Hizbollah more selectively, reflecting the broader and often contentious debate over how to address the group within the framework of international law and regional stability.
What Lies Ahead for Lebanon
Looking to the future, the question of disarmament looms large over Lebanon’s political trajectory. The combination of domestic demand for a stronger state, pressure from Israel, and Hizbollah’s unyielding stance creates a fragile equilibrium. Analysts warn that any attempt to force disarmament could trigger a confrontation that Lebanon’s military and state institutions are ill-prepared to manage alone. For Beirut and its citizens, the path forward involves navigating a tense intermingling of mourning, sovereignty, and security concerns at a time of regional volatility.
Conclusion
The Hezbollah leader’s message and the Beirut tribute highlight a central dilemma: the pursuit of disarmament is entangled with questions of power, identity, and security that defy easy resolution. As regional actors watch closely, Lebanon’s ability to chart a peaceful, stable course may depend on how it reconciles the demands for disarmament with the realities of a faction that remains deeply rooted in the country’s political fabric.
