The declaration framing the cessation of hostilities, published by Washington on the evening of Thursday, April 16, is clear. The text provides that “the Lebanese government will take concrete measures to prevent Hezbollah and all other non-state armed groups from acting. In fact, it is the responsibility of the Lebanese army to attack their weaponry during the truce.
In Lebanon, opponents of the Shiite movement welcome this direction. “It is time for the Lebanese army to take its responsibilities,” said MP Jihad Pakradouni. “We entered into war in 1975, and since then, the army has done nothing. At some point, we must end this situation. It is not possible for a group to hold the whole country hostage.“
The point of view is shared by some of the political class but also by many Lebanese hostile to Hezbollah. In recent weeks, during its interventions after Israeli strikes, the army has been repeatedly criticized by residents of localities opposed to the Shiite movement. These Lebanese accuse them of being complicit with Hezbollah. Such a climate weighs heavily on the morale of the soldiers. “The men are not well,” confides an officer, speaking anonymously. “We are under attack from all sides, and the political leaders do not realize the consequences of their decisions.“
“Hezbollah is our enemy”
This discomfort is also fueled by the orders imposed on the soldiers. In late March, Lebanese military received orders to evacuate several positions in South Lebanon. Filmed by residents refusing to leave their village, they are seen withdrawing in their tanks from locations like Rmeish, Debel, or Ain Ebel, leaving civilians alone facing Israelis. “As a military, defending our territory is part of our DNA,” the officer continues. “We cannot accept seeing a foreign army occupy the country without reacting. And how do you expect us to disarm Hezbollah if we flee, leaving civilians behind?“
:fill(black)/2026/04/19/69e5012dc11b1439393201.jpg "Strait of Hormuz: the profiteers of war")
