Pressure from within: Opposition to Hezbollah growing among the Lebanese public

By Nitzan Shapira

In recent weeks, documentation, testimonies, and indicators have been accumulating, pointing to an intensification of public criticism in Lebanon toward Hezbollah. In many cases, what was previously a private or indirect discourse is now transforming into sharp, public expressions of opposition to the organization's activities - alongside criticism and blame directed at the terror organization for the country's economic and security situation.

According to intelligence assessments, the deepening economic crisis in Lebanon viewed as a direct consequence of Hezbollah's involvement in the conflict, along with the broader consequences of regional fighting, are contributing to a change in attitude among large parts of the Lebanese public. These cracks are not appearing only among minority groups but are penetrating into the organization's support base within the country as well.

These trends may indicate emerging fractures in public support for Hezbollah and a growing willingness among the wider Lebanese public to openly express criticism and opposition toward the terror organization. Reports also suggest that anti-Hezbollah public discourse is gradually expanding, including increasing calls to reduce the group’s power and influence within Lebanon’s internal arena.

“Our young men were killed… Wake up, save us”

The frustration over the destruction of villages and the dire economic situation is leading Lebanese citizens to break the code of silence. In footage circulated recently, a Lebanese Shiite citizen from southern Lebanon can be heard shouting in front of the ruins of his home: "For whom? For Iran and for Gaza? Our young men were killed… Wake up, save us. The people we love are gone… Fear God."

These voices, coming from the heart of the Shiite community, attest to a growing willingness to express open opposition. The oppositional public discourse is gradually expanding and now includes explicit calls to curb Hezbollah's power and influence on the domestic front.

The Real Blow Hezbollah Suffered: "Thousands Killed"

The terror organization has lost thousands of operatives in the current campaign since it began on March 2, according to sources quoted by Reuters. This contradicts figures released by Lebanon’s Health Ministry, which reported that 2,600 people had been killed.

According to three sources, two of them senior Hezbollah officials, "the Ministry's figures do not include many of the organization's casualties, and the organization does not yet have a complete picture", the sources claimed. Hezbollah, however, denied the reports and insisted that the Lebanese Health Ministry’s death toll does include its operatives.

A Hezbollah commander quoted in the report referred to the fighting in Bint Jbeil and said there are still "dozens of operatives who arrived at the front-line to fight to the death", and whose bodies have not yet been found.