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Hezbollah's Grip on Southern Lebanon Remains Tight Despite Israeli Security Operations

Even as the Iranian-backed terror proxy faces military pressure, supporters continue to prioritize the militia over national stability.

Foreign PolicyPublished May 13, 2026 at 11:22 PM
A man stands on top of rubble from a building destroyed in an Israeli air strike in Saksakiyeh, southern Lebanon, which killed nine members of one family

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues to rage in southern Lebanon, where the Iranian-backed terror group remains entrenched despite significant military pressure.

Israel has been forced to conduct extensive operations to neutralize Hezbollah's ability to launch rocket and drone attacks, aiming to establish a buffer zone to protect northern Israeli communities from a potential 'Conquer the Galilee' invasion plan.

While the Israeli military maintains that it targets Hezbollah combatants operating from civilian infrastructure, the group’s long-standing strategy of embedding itself within the Shia heartland has led to widespread destruction of villages and displacement of residents.

Hezbollah, which remains committed to the destruction of Israel, continues to operate as a state-within-a-state, providing social services and political representation that keep its base of support loyal.

While some Lebanese officials have called for the disarmament of the militia, the group’s leadership refuses to surrender its arsenal, and many residents in the south continue to view the terrorist organization as their only protection against Israeli forces.

As the war persists, the reality remains that Hezbollah's presence continues to drag Lebanon into a cycle of conflict, serving the interests of its patrons in Tehran while leaving the local population to pay the ultimate price for the group's aggression.

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foreign-policyhezbollahisraellebanonmiddle-east

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