As Israel intensifies its airstrikes on Lebanon and attempts a ground invasion of the Southern part of the country, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have not yet reacted significantly. Echoing the prevailing American-Israeli discourse, some commentators continue to portray Hezbollah’s military operations against Israel as the underlying problem undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty. However, the issue of sovereignty is fundamentally linked to Lebanon’s history and the question of who protects the country from external threats – particularly Israeli hegemony and expansionism.
On March 2 [2026], two days after the start of the war against Iran by US and Israeli forces, Hezbollah launched projectiles targeting an Israeli radar system near Haifa from Lebanon. This strike marked the group’s first military operation since the signing of the so-called cessation of hostilities agreement between Lebanon and Israel on November 27, 2024. Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel has not respected it, refusing to withdraw from its military outposts on Lebanese territory and continuing to launch strikes at will.
In November 2025, Israel committed over 7,500 violations of Lebanese airspace, approximately 2,500 land incursions, and at least 669 strikes on Lebanon. These attacks resulted in at least 331 fatalities, 945 injuries, and prevented 65,000 displaced individuals from returning to their homes in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government has been unable to effectively oppose these violations politically and militarily, exacerbating the impact on civilians.
In the past 20 years, particularly since the agreement of November 2024, Lebanese politics has been dominated by fierce debates over sovereignty, the use of force, control of territory, and population movement within Lebanon. The role of Hezbollah remains a contentious issue, with different factions pushing for disarmament or military action against the group.
The Lebanese Armed Forces, established in 1945, have historically been focused on internal security rather than defense against external threats. The army’s development and foreign relations have been shaped by Western influence, particularly from the United States, and aimed at maintaining domestic order and international alliances rather than countering Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty.
Given the complex history and external support for the LAF, the recent decision to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon after Hezbollah’s strike on Israel does not come as a surprise. The army’s limited mandate and structural focus on internal security have made it ill-prepared for a direct confrontation with Hezbollah or Israel.
While the Lebanese army’s role and capabilities raise questions, the primary function of Hezbollah has been to expel and deter Israeli forces from Lebanese territory since its inception in the 1980s. Calls for the Lebanese army to confront Hezbollah are strategically inconsistent and lack a comprehensive vision for defending Lebanese sovereignty against external threats, especially as Israel escalates its activities in southern Lebanon.
This article was originally published on The Public Source website. [Context: The article highlights the complexity of Lebanon’s political and military dynamics amid escalating tensions with Israel and Hezbollah.]
