A Nation's Defiance: Lebanon's Stand Against the Israeli Occupation

By: H. Zaïm-Bashi

January 26, 2024, shall be etched in the annals of Lebanese modern history as a landmark moment—a day that signifies the completion of Lebanon’s third liberation war against the Israeli regime. On this day dozens of Lebanese citizens defying threats and intimidation gathered at the entrances of their villages and towns in southern Lebanon reclaiming their rightful homes as the 60-day ceasefire drew to a close. Their return in the face of Israeli military warnings was a profound assertion of sovereignty and an unwavering declaration of defiance against occupation.

Over the past two months the fragile ceasefire has been repeatedly breached by Israeli war crimes. As inhabitants of southern Lebanon endeavored to return to their properties numerous individuals suffered from ongoing hostilities; some lost their lives while others sustained injuries due to Israeli forces' neglect of the ceasefire's stipulations. The Israeli government has persistently declined to undertake the responsibility of withdrawing from Lebanese territories yet the Lebanese populace remains steadfast in their determination not to accept any further occupation of their nation.

Despite its military and political machinations Israel has failed to achieve one of its principal objectives: the return of settlers to the north. This failure has driven it to repeatedly breach the ceasefire in a desperate bid to reassert dominance. However, these violations have not deterred the inevitable reenactment of Lebanon’s previous victories particularly the historic liberation of 2000. The unified and courageous return of Lebanon’s southern residents in defiance of an adversary known for its duplicity conveys several critical messages:

i.       A Call to the International Community: The world must exert pressure on Israel to abide by the ceasefire and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories.

ii.     The Enduring Spirit of Resistance: Resistance is not merely the prerogative of Hezbollah; it is deeply embedded in the national consciousness of the Lebanese people.

iii.  The Indivisibility of Lebanese Sovereignty: The territorial integrity of Lebanon is non-negotiable.

iv.   The Triumvirate of National Defense: The Lebanese army the people and the resistance collectively safeguard Lebanon’s interests.

v.     Popular Legitimacy of the Resistance: The steadfast determination of the Lebanese people underscores the legitimacy and necessity of continued resistance to reclaim their rights.

Above all the most urgent message is directed at the international community: the Israeli regime must be compelled to withdraw and honor the ceasefire agreement. Despite widespread opposition from both the Lebanese government and the resistance Israel backed by the United States continues to justify its illegal presence in Lebanon.

American insistence on maintaining Israeli forces in parts of Lebanon poses a direct challenge to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Adopted to conclude the 2006 war this resolution explicitly mandates the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon stipulating that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping forces may operate south of the Litani River. While this arrangement maintained relative stability for nearly two decades the Israeli regime’s atrocities following Hezbollah’s declaration of support for Gaza on October 7 have effectively nullified its commitment to this resolution.

In recent months prior to the ceasefire American officials had attempted to reassert the necessity of returning to the framework of Resolution 1701. However, in the wake of the historic return of Lebanon’s displaced citizens Israel has responded with intensified aggression. On January 27 its forces launched airstrikes on the city of Nabatiyeh an apparent attempt to disrupt the movement of returning Lebanese citizens. The Lebanese Army’s commander condemned these attacks revealing that Israeli forces had also fired upon both soldiers and civilians on the Yaron and Maroun al-Ras roads while they were accompanying displaced families back to their villages.

The motives behind these assaults are clear: Israel aims to obstruct the return of southern Lebanese residents to their homes and under the pretext of monitoring arms transfers seeks to maintain its unlawful presence in Lebanon. This is a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement and a strategic maneuver designed to secure American backing for a prolonged occupation.

Ultimately Israel is acutely aware that it has lost its battle against Lebanon. It has failed to establish the conditions necessary for a sustained military presence and lacks any credible justification for remaining in Lebanese territory. The reality is inescapable: Israel must withdraw despite its desperate attempts to prolong its occupation.

The unfolding events since January 25 have reaffirmed an immutable truth—the Lebanese people will never relinquish their homeland. The Israeli regime has incurred exorbitant costs in its bid to maintain control over southern Lebanon yet the unyielding resistance of the Lebanese people has decisively turned the tide. Through sheer resilience and a relentless commitment to sovereignty Lebanon has once again emerged victorious reclaiming its lands and securing its future through unwavering defiance.