JALAL TAGREEB -- Israel’s systematic dismantling of Hezbollah’s infrastructure—killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah, obliterating its missile stockpiles, and forcing its remnants north of the Litani River—has reduced the group to a mere spectator in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran.
The ceasefire Hezbollah signed in November 2024 was not a negotiated peace but an unconditional surrender document, a desperate attempt to salvage what little remained of its crippled forces. Hezbollah, which once vowed to "liberate Jerusalem" and destroy Israel, now watches as its patron Iran faces the full fury of the Jewish state alone.
Israel’s audacious strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership—killing top IRGC commanders and scientists—have left Tehran reeling, while Hezbollah, its supposed "shield," offers nothing but empty rhetoric . The group’s failure to intervene in this conflict is the ultimate admission of its impotence. Even Iran, it seems, no longer views Hezbollah as a viable deterrent, let alone a winning card.
Hezbollah’s downfall was inevitable, born of its own ideological hubris and blind allegiance to Tehran. For decades, the group clung to the delusion that Israel was "weaker than a spider’s web," a mantra repeated by Nasrallah even as Israel grew stronger . This arrogance blinded Hezbollah to reality. When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah miscalculated, believing it could replicate its 2006 "divine victory." Instead, Israel responded with unprecedented ferocity, decimating Hezbollah’s leadership and infrastructure in a matter of weeks.
The group’s reliance on Iran proved its undoing. Tehran’s strategic priorities -- not Hezbollah’s -- dictated its actions, forcing it into a half-hearted war of attrition that only provoked Israel’s wrath without achieving any meaningful gains. By the time Hezbollah realized its mistake, it was too late. Israel’s Operation Northern Arrows in September 2024 shattered the group’s command structure, leaving it leaderless and demoralized. The infamous pager and walkie-talkie attacks, likely orchestrated by Mossad, exposed Hezbollah’s security as a joke, turning its operatives into walking targets.
Today, as Israel and Iran engage in direct warfare, Hezbollah is conspicuously absent. Its spokesmen issue hollow condemnations, its leaders vow "consequences," but the truth is undeniable: Hezbollah is out of the game. The group’s failure to defend its own territory, let alone support Iran, underscores its utter uselessness. Lebanon’s leaders, weary of Hezbollah’s destructive legacy, now openly urge the group to stay out of the conflict, recognizing that further entanglement would only bring more ruin to their shattered nation.
Israel, meanwhile, has emerged stronger than ever. Its military campaign against Hezbollah was a masterclass in precision and ruthlessness, a prelude to its current offensive against Iran. The Jewish state has proven that it will not tolerate threats on its borders, whether from Hamas, Hezbollah, or Tehran itself. With Hezbollah neutralized, Israel has turned its full attention to Iran, striking at the heart of the regime with a confidence that would have been unthinkable just a year ago.
Hezbollah’s defeat is not just a military setback; it is the end of an era. The group’s once-formidable "Axis of Resistance" lies in ruins, its members scattered, its ideology discredited. Israel’s message is clear: "We dictate the terms".
Long live Israel -- the undisputed victor.
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Jalal Tagreeb is a freelance researcher and translator from the Levant who specialises in Islamic Studies and History. With a background in conservative Sunni Islam, Jalal was once a passionate Muslim apologist who engaged in debates with secularists. However, a transformative journey led him to reassess his beliefs, ultimately prompting his departure from Islam.
Now, as an ex-Muslim, Jalal is dedicated to fostering understanding between different belief systems and cultures, with a particular focus on exploring the cultural disparities between the West and the Middle East. Through his research and translations, he seeks to bridge divides and promote dialogue, advocating for intellectual honesty and mutual respect. His Reddit account contains his exchanges and more information on his intellectual journey away from Islam: https://www.reddit.com/user/JalalTagreeb/.