Lebanon plunged into chaos after Israel's response to Hezbollah: War was inevitable, but this was not the time'

"A war with Israel was inevitable, but this was not the time. The second war that the Hezbollah party-militia has fought with Israel in three years—the third in two decades—has impacted Lebanon's predominantly Shia communities (where Hezbollah is the de facto authority) much faster than in previous rounds of conflict."

"Since Monday, the spread of Israeli airstrikes into areas where Hezbollah has no presence has hit communities beyond the Shia population—groups that, during the 2024 war, largely stayed on the sidelines and were able to maintain a degree of normality. This shift, combined with the arrival of waves of displaced people into regions already suffering economic hardship, is heightening social tension."

Lebanon faces escalating conflict as Hezbollah's Monday rocket attack prompted a severe Israeli military response, forcing mass evacuations affecting over 800,000 people across southern Lebanon and Beirut suburbs. This third conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in two decades has rapidly impacted predominantly Shia communities where Hezbollah operates as de facto authority. Unlike previous rounds, Israeli airstrikes now target areas without Hezbollah presence, affecting diverse populations previously insulated from conflict. The displacement of hundreds of thousands into economically struggling regions is heightening social tensions and generating blame directed at Shia communities for the renewed violence, despite widespread recognition that the timing of Hezbollah's actions was problematic.

Read at english.elpais.com