By Henry Gabriel
Speculation of an impending offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon has sparked renewed panic within the country.
Local sources report that Lebanese civilians are urging Hezbollah not to involve the nation in an Iranian proxy war.
Avi Melamed, a former Israeli Intelligence official and regional analyst, has shed light on the situation, stating, “The recent rumours of a planned Israeli major operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon have caused renewed panic and anger among the Lebanese people.
“They have made it abundantly clear that they do not wish to be dragged into this war by Hezbollah and the Iranian regime,” Melamed, who has extensive experience in Arab affairs and served as a negotiator during the first and second intifadas, said.
He further emphasized Tehran’s use of proxies to advance its imperialist agenda.
“The Lebanese people, though aware of their lack of control over their own destiny, have come to understand that Iran has taken them hostage through its proxy, Hezbollah.
Similar to the Palestinian movement, Tehran is utilizing regional proxies to impose its radical and imperialist agenda. This strategy aims to escalate conflicts, divert attention from its nuclear programme, and destabilize other neighboring states like Jordan, effectively taking them hostage as well,” Melamed revealed.
He added, “It is crucial for those who support and advocate for ‘Resistance’ in the West to comprehend that they are inadvertently aligning themselves with the Iranian version of ‘resistance.’
Elanza News reports that this form of resistance seeks to perpetuate Lebanon’s captivity under Hezbollah, hold the Palestinians hostage through groups like Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, attempt to overthrow Jordan’s monarchy, and maintain control over the Middle East through various destabilization efforts funded and armed by Iran.
In the face of mounting tension, the Lebanese people anxiously await further developments, hoping to avoid being entangled in the regional conflict fueled by Hezbollah and the Iranian regime.
