The Irish Times view on Lebanon: lessons of history are cast aside

Israel’s stated policy of wiping out Hizbullah’s military capacity and operational bases has led to the deaths of over 1,000 Lebanese so far and leaves the country in fear and shock alongside social and economic collapse. Hizbullah is deeply embedded in this part of Lebanese society, controls much of its economy and is part of the national coalition government. That followed the lethal Israeli attacks on Hizbullah’s leadership in 2024, which gravely weakened the organisation, and the formation of a new Lebanese coalition the following year.