Opinion: Israel's massacring of civilians can only further derail campaign to undermine Hezbollah
While Israel’s ground invasion of Lebanon falters, a war by other means is taking place behind the frontlines.
Diplomatic, political and media actors are mobilising to realign Lebanon away from supporting Palestinian resistance and in line with Israeli aims in Lebanon.
On 11 October, the US ambassador in Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, reportedly held a series of meetings with Lebanese politicians, including “independent” members of parliament. She reportedly told them to be ready for a new “post-Hezbollah era”, whereby the party’s alleged control of the state and border crossings would no longer hold.
Washington’s special envoy and former Israeli soldier and lobbyist, Amos Hochstein, is publicly appearing on major Lebanese networks and peddling the same story, but couched in diplomatic language.