The party loses 10,000 of its fighters … and 2000 refuse to return its ranks !! Here are the details
In light of the increasing international pressure and field developments on the Lebanese scene, Hezbollah appears to face one of the most difficult challenges in its history. Between heavy human losses, a decline in military readiness, and financial narrowing, international and local calls to hand over his weapon to the Lebanese state are escalating, amid a sharp internal division on how to deal with this sensitive issue.
An American initiative and increasing pressure
These developments come at a time when the Lebanese side is working to prepare a unified official response to the American initiative provided by the envoy Tom Barak, which states that Hezbollah will completely abandon its weapon in all Lebanese regions, before November 2025, in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the five border points and a comprehensive stop of military operations.
Unprecedented human and field losses
Despite the assurances of the party leadership, especially Sheikh Naim Qasim, about restructuring the ranks and filling the vacancies, the data indicate that the party suffers from severe bleeding in the number of its fighters. According to well -informed sources reported by Al -Arabiya/Al -Hadath. Net, the party lost about 10,000 fighters as a result of the recent “war of support”, and only about 60,000 of the 100,000 fighters had been announced by former Secretary -General Hassan Nasrallah in 2021.
The figures indicate that more than 4 thousand people were killed by the party, in addition to 3,000 wounded. About 2000 members of the party were also recorded by an individual decision after Nasrallah was killed, and they refused to return to fight.
The disintegration of the military structure and the deterioration of resources
The continuous Israeli strikes led to the destruction of the majority of the party’s training centers in the south and the Bekaa, after they became exposed to the drones. The party was forced to reduce its military activities significantly, especially after the loss of control of large parts of the southern Litani, which is now under the authority of the Lebanese army by 80%, with the confiscation or destruction of most of the medium and heavy weapons.
A stifling financial crisis
The party losses are not limited to the human and military side only, but also extend to the financial side. Strong restrictions on the border crossings led to the decline in smuggling operations that the party relied on as a major source of financing, which led to the reduction of expenses and the freezing of many internal projects and plans.
Internal division on the delivery of weapons
In this context, it is expected that the Hezbollah weapon file is expected to be brought up on the Lebanese government table soon. The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, submitted a proposal aimed at absorbing the party members within the Lebanese army, but without establishing an independent unit, but rather attaching the wishing elements through training and absorptive courses similar to what happened in the nineties with elements of other militias.
However, this proposal faces sharp criticism from political parties such as “the Lebanese forces”, where Representative Fadi Karam stressed that “the reproduction of the popular crowd experience is not possible”, and that the party’s elements can join the army except in accordance with the regular recruitment conditions, without privileges or exceptions.
Military and sectarian integration dilemma
The military expert and retired Brigadier Mounir Shehadeh considered that the integration of Hezbollah members into the military establishment is difficult, due to the precise conditions of sectarian balance within the Lebanese army, in addition to the strict medical and physical requirements, which may not be commensurate with the party elements who practiced in an irregular military environment.
Defense strategy: an alternative proposal?
Amid these complications, calls to discuss a comprehensive defensive strategy that guarantees the accommodation of the party’s weapon within the umbrella of the Lebanese state, and its use only if the country is subjected to an external attack. However, the application of such a proposition needs an internal and international political consensus that is difficult to achieve in the current stage.
A mysterious future amid political tensions
The fate of Hezbollah’s weapon, and its position in the Lebanese political and military equation remains one of the most prominent challenges awaiting the solution. The file is surrounded by regional and international interactions, while the party faces unprecedented pressure at various levels. While the Israeli threats are escalating and the local debate is raised, the internal situation remains fragile, and the Lebanese state is in front of a fateful test in the next few months.
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