2026 Lebanon internal criticism of Hezbollah

The 2026 Lebanon internal criticism of Hezbollah refers to widespread domestic discontent and political criticism in Lebanon toward Hezbollah in early March 2026, following Hezbollah's strikes at Israel. The attacks were described by Hezbollah as support for Iran amid a broader regional escalation involving Israel and the United States.^[1][2][3]

The escalation drew Lebanon further into the regional conflict and prompted Israeli retaliatory airstrikes across the country, resulting in civilian evacuations, casualties and infrastructure damage. Hezbollah's involvement in the 2026 Iran war, generated significant public frustration among segments of Lebanese society.^[4][5] Lebanon's government responded by declaring Hezbollah's military activities illegal and calling on the group to surrender its weapons to the state.^[6][7][8][9]

Hezbollah was formed in the early 1980s with Iranian backing and has since become a powerful player in Lebanese politics and security. Hezbollah's military power grew following Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000, and its participation in the 2006 Lebanon War further solidified its position as a major regional actor. The group continued to build its military capabilities despite UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which called for the disarmament of non-state actors.^[10]

Iran has been Hezbollah's primary supporter, providing funding, training, and advanced weaponry. Hezbollah is often described as a key component of Iran's "axis of resistance," a network of militias opposing Israel and Western influence in the Middle East.^[11]

The death of Hezbollah's long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in September 2024 significantly weakened the group, leaving it more reliant on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for support. This shift has diminished Hezbollah's operational independence and increased Tehran's influence over its decisions.^[12][13]

Financially, the collapse of smuggling routes through Syria, especially those tied to the Captagon trade, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, removed a crucial source of revenue for Hezbollah. As a result, the group now depends almost entirely on financial backing from Iran.^[13] These combined political and economic strains have limited Hezbollah's flexibility, pushing the organization toward even deeper involvement in regional conflicts, making it harder to avoid further escalation.^[14]

In early March 2026, Hezbollah launched strikes on northern Israel, retaliating against the assassination of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, amid the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States.^[3][2][15] In response, Israeli jets launched airstrikes on Beirut following evacuation orders issued for civilians in 50 villages throughout Southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley.^[16][17][18]

On 3 March, Hezbollah launched missile and drone strikes at three Israeli bases: Ramat David airbase, the Meron monitoring base, and Camp Yitzhak. Israeli forces were instructed to seize positions in southern Lebanon. Israel announced it had captured "strategic areas" in the region and ordered the evacuation of nearby Lebanese towns.^[19][20]

On 4 March, Hezbollah launched strikes at Israel, targeting military bases as well as oil and gas infrastructure. Israel conducted airstrikes, destroying Hezbollah's communication centers, including the al-Manar TV station and al-Nour radio station. Additional strikes targeted villages in southern Lebanon known to be used by Hezbollah.^[21][22]

On 5 March, Israel carried out airstrikes in Beirut, killing a Hamas official, along with several other strikes earlier in the day. Additional attacks targeted Hezbollah facilities and operatives, while Israel renewed its evacuation warning for residents of southern Lebanon near potential targets. At midday, the IDF issued an immediate evacuation order for the southern suburbs of Beirut, specifically Bourj el-Barajneh, Hadath, Haret Hreik, and Chiyah. Residents were advised to move north and east for safety.^[23]

On 6 March, after issuing advance warnings to reduce civilian casualties, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah headquarters situated in high-rise buildings in Beirut. The strikes also targeted warehouses believed to be storing drones used in attacks on Israel.^[24][25]

Many Lebanese residents expressed concern that the group's actions risked drawing the country into a broader regional war at a time when Lebanon was already facing severe economic and political crises.^[26][27] Some Lebanese citizens argued that Hezbollah's decisions were influenced by regional alliances rather than domestic priorities, with statements like "They don't care about Lebanon"^[28] and referring to their actions as "selfish".^[29][30] Some expressed confusion, stating that Hezbollah stayed silent when Hassan Nasrallah was killed but responded with force over Iran's leaders assassination. Comments like these are seen not only from displaced villagers, but also by supporters of Hezbollah, expressing disappointment.^[31]

Reactions among the displaced residents of southern Beirut are divided, some view sleeping on the streets as a form of sacrifice and solidarity. Others, sharply criticize the strikes that devastated the south and Beirut's southern suburbs. Residents of southern Lebanon publicly expressed loyalty to the Lebanese state and its army. A woman said their struggle is to remain on their land and that they support the military because it represents their land and honor. On television, another woman similarly declared support for the army. Overall, these statements signal that many southerners are aligning with a "Lebanon First" stance, backing the Lebanese state and military rather than supporting Hezbollah, which they see as prioritizing Iran and operating as a "state within a state." Another described Hezbollah dragging Lebanon into the regional war as "a criminal act against the people of the South."^[31]

A senior researcher at the Arab Gulf States Institute stated that the current anger directed at Hezbollah and its actions is the most he has observed since the group's establishment. He added that many, particularly within the Shiite community, view Hezbollah's decision to enter the war as reckless and as dragging Lebanon into a conflict that holds no relevance to them.^[32]

Political figures and parties opposed to Hezbollah renewed their calls for the group to relinquish its weapons and integrate its military capabilities into the Lebanese Armed Forces. After an emergency Cabinet meeting held earlier in the day amid the intensifying strikes, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, announced a total ban on all military activities by Hezbollah.^[33] He demanded the group surrender its weapons to the state and limit itself to political activities. Salam emphasized that decisions regarding war and peace are the sole responsibility of the state, rejecting any unauthorized actions from Lebanese territory.^[34] Salam condemned Hezbollah's rocket and drone strikes from southern Lebanon, calling them irresponsible acts outside the authority of the Lebanese state that endanger national security.^[35][36]

On 5 March, the Lebanese government announced it would "arrest and repatriate" anyone with ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guards. This led to the departure of dozens of Iranian officers from Beirut over the past two days, according to Axios and multiple other sources.^[37] Most of those leaving are believed to be members of the Quds Force, who had been serving as military advisers to Hezbollah and influencing its operations.^[38]

Hezbollah's secretary-general Naim Qassem rejected calls for disarmament and stated that the group would continue confronting what it described as Israeli and American aggression.^[39][40]

• Disarmament of Hezbollah
• Cabinet of Nawaf Salam
• Homeland Shield Plan