Hezbollah paralyzed by Israeli airstrikes… Lebanon in fear

Hundreds dead, tens of thousands displaced…largest scale in history
Unease heightened after Nasralla’s death…fear of internal conflict,

Residents inspect the site of an Israeli airstrike targetting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in the southern Beirut suburb in Lebanon on the 29th (local time). [AFP],
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, ‘[Herald Economy=Reporter Kim Hyun-kyung] Amid consecutive Israeli airstrikes, Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has left the entire Lebanon in chaos. With Hezbollah weakened, internal divisions and conflicts are occurring within the country, and there are growing concerns that more people will flee in the face of Israel’s dominance.’,
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, ‘According to Bloomberg on the 29th (local time), Lebanon has been devastated by Israeli airstrikes over the past week, with the southern region being ravaged, hundreds dead, and tens of thousands fleeing for safety.’,
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, ‘Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, after an emergency cabinet meeting on the same day, said to reporters, “At least 110,000 people have fled since Israel launched airstrikes a week ago. This number could reach 1 million in a few days,” describing it as “the largest refugee movement in Lebanon’s history.”‘,
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, ‘Mikati added, “We must not forget the large waves of displacement in the southern and eastern Bekaa regions,” as reported by AFP and Al Jazeera.’,
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, ‘When asked about efforts to alleviate the situation, he responded, “There is no choice other than diplomatic solutions.”‘,
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, ‘Laila Al-Amin, Lebanon Country Director for the international relief organization Mercy Corps, described the situation in Lebanon as “a disaster,” stating to Bloomberg, “One of the biggest problems is that the government has no means to provide shelters.”‘,
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, ‘This stands in stark contrast to Israel’s triumphant mood after eliminating more than 20 Hezbollah leaders, including its leader Hassan Nasrallah.’,
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, ‘Israeli newspapers unanimously featured “A New Middle East” on their front page that day. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “With Nasrallah’s death, the central core engine of the ‘Axis of Evil’ led by Iran has collapsed,” referring to the network of non-Israeli militias ranging from Hamas in Gaza to the Houthis in Yemen and allied forces in Syria and Iraq.’,
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, ‘Kobi Michael, a former senior official and senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), a Zionist think tank in Israel, told Bloomberg, “Israel has changed the rules of the game,” stating, “If Hezbollah is paralyzed, the entire (axis of resistance) will be paralyzed as well. Iran is vulnerable.”‘,
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, ‘Hezbollah has dominated Lebanese politics for the past 20 years. However, it is estimated that Hezbollah’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened by Israel’s bombardment.’,
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, ‘A U.S. official previously told CNN, “Hezbollah has probably regressed to 20 years ago due to the ongoing Israeli airstrikes.”‘,
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, ‘Amidst Hezbollah’s anti-Hezbollah faction within Lebanon, concerns are rising about the consequences of Hezbollah’s weakening.’,
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, ‘In particular, tensions have escalated following the death of Nasrallah, who has led Hezbollah for 32 years. Gunfire, shouts, and screams erupted from buildings in the southern outskirts of Beirut, Hezbollah’s stronghold, when his death was confirmed on the 28th.’,
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, ‘Many Lebanese citizens fear a repeat of clashes between Hezbollah supporters and anti-Hezbollah factions as seen in 2008 and 2021, Bloomberg reported.’,
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, ‘The anti-Hezbollah factions are currently observing the situation quietly. One anti-Hezbollah group urged its supporters to refrain from posting on social media or making public statements about Nasrallah’s death.’,
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, ‘The Lebanese military urged citizens on that day to refrain from actions that could impact civilian peace at a dangerous and sensitive moment in the country’s history.’,
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