WhatsappDima Sadek, a Lebanese Shia journalist and a prominent critic of Hezbollah, confronts Hezbollah leaders who speak of “victories” with the harsh reality. Sadek admits that Israel is winning the ground war despite Hezbollah propaganda that claims Hezbollah fighters are chasing IDF soldiers away.
Sadek’s claims support the IDF’s assertion and other assessments that report the IDF moving northward after taking the Hezbollah stronghold of Chama as well as penetrating Hezbollah’s defenses at Al-Khiam in the east. Losing these places as well as potentially Bint Jbeil essentially means Hezbollah will lose Lebanon’s south.
These victories for the IDF is why the Lebanese government is considering taking up Israel’s offer of a ceasefire. However, Hezbollah will never agree to a ceasefire that gives Israel the right to take action in Lebanon whenever it wants. With this fact, assume the war will go on.
The ceasefire discussed would force Hezbollah above the Litani River, something that the IDF is making sure of through combat. So does Hezbollah simply not just accept the ceasefire – because by holding strong even if they lose they can still claim to be the defenders of Shia Lebanon - something that is extremely important in keeping their stranglehold over Lebanese politics.
