For the fourth consecutive day, the concerns of the Lebanese people have been primarily focused on the conflict involving Israel and Iran, along with its implications for Lebanon and the surrounding region.
Amid discussions of turbulent times for the Middle East and the world waiting for a favorable international moment, Lebanon appears to be in a state of high alert and caution. This has led to security and military measures being executed by the Lebanese army and security agencies, resembling an unofficial mobilization in anticipation of any incursions that could drag Lebanon into the intensifying conflict, which has escalated into an open war with unpredictable timelines and strategic outcomes.
Given the sensitivity of the current phase for the region and the global scenario, sources indicate that recent days have encouraged Hezbollah to refrain from engaging in any risky ventures that might trigger a large-scale and devastating Israeli response toward Lebanon, likely due to careful calculations of power dynamics and external pressures.
There are those who argue that Lebanon’s neutrality and distancing from the conflict are not coincidental but are instead a result of imposed pressures, especially since the official Lebanese government received what could be viewed as a “promise” that if no group entered the conflict, Lebanon would remain unaffected.
As for Lebanon’s tangible situation, it is now undergoing a stringent test of its ability to steer clear of the pitfalls of this war in any tangible way, keeping the door for cautious vigilance ajar.
Additionally, reports suggest that the Lebanese authorities are wary of the perilous phase that the country now finds itself deeply embroiled in.
In this context, it has emerged that the U.S. envoy to Syria and the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barak, is expected to arrive in Beirut this week, delivering a message from President Donald Trump to Lebanese officials. The aim is to urge them to expedite the disarmament of Hezbollah and Palestinian factions and to avoid delays, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize aid to Lebanon.
Barak will also emphasize the necessity of advancing crucial reforms to gain international assistance.
Between the demands for disarmament and the required reforms, there are indications that Washington is currently pursuing a policy of separating the various tracks concerning Lebanon.