Fault Lines Deepen: Hezbollah Funerals Spark Violent Protests Against Lebanese State | WATCH
With chants of "betrayal" echoing through the streets and troops deploying to the Kafaat area to contain the unrest, fears are mounting that the fragile post-war stability is collapsing into a dangerous internal power struggle between Hezbollah and state institutions.
Tensions between Hezbollah and the Lebanese state escalated sharply this week as thousands of Hezbollah supporters marched in the southern suburb of Dahieh during funeral processions for fighters killed in the recent war with Israel.
Videos circulating on social media show mourners chanting slogans against the Lebanese government and armed forces, accusing them of weakness and betrayal. The situation quickly intensified, prompting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to deploy troops to the Kafaat area in an attempt to contain unrest and prevent clashes.
The funerals have turned into political rallies, highlighting the deep divisions in Lebanon in the aftermath of the Israel-Hezbollah war:
The Lebanese Army has been walking a tightrope, trying to assert authority (especially in southern Lebanon) while avoiding direct confrontation with the heavily armed Shia movement.
This comes as Lebanon struggles to implement post-war arrangements, including pressure from the U.S. and others to disarm Hezbollah or at least restrict its military role. Many fear that any major clash between Hezbollah and state institutions could spiral into wider internal violence.
While full-scale civil war is not considered imminent, analysts warn that these incidents expose dangerous fault lines that could destabilize the fragile country further.
The situation remains tense, with more funerals and political maneuvering expected in the coming days.