4. SS: Given the intense pressure to implement UN 1701, how will Lebanon's new government balance these external demands against its own complex internal politics regarding Hezbollah?
HA: Amid escalating international pressure to implement Resolution 1701, the new Lebanese government faces a highly sensitive challenge: balancing responsiveness to external demands with upholding its national constants related to its sovereignty and its internal policy towards Hezbollah. Any responsible national approach must be based on Lebanon's inherent right to sovereignty over all its territory and to defend itself against any aggression, free from pressures or selective interpretations of the UN resolution.
However, the real danger lies in internal division, which could weaken the unity of the national stance and limit the Lebanese negotiator's ability to defend the country's interests. Conversely, it cannot be ignored that Israel is the party that has not de facto complied with Resolution 1701, as it still occupies the five border points and continues its aerial and maritime violations, in addition to repeated assassinations and ongoing threats to expand its aggressions.
Therefore, any discussion of a balanced application of the resolution must begin by halting these Israeli violations and respecting Lebanon's sovereignty, because the implementation of 1701 cannot be selective or come at the expense of the dignity of the Lebanese state and its national unity.
5. SS: How do you reconcile reports of Hezbollah's weakness with the sustained military and diplomatic pressure from Israel and its allies?
HA: Despite some reports promoting the idea of Hezbollah's weakened capabilities, field information confirms that the party has notably reorganized its military ranks in recent months, leveraging its extensive combat experience and the support of its supportive environment, which still views its battle as one in defense of dignity and sovereignty. This organizational and military recovery has prompted Israel to recalibrate its calculations, fearing an uncalculated response or a high-quality operation that could overturn the field situation, which explains the escalating diplomatic and military pressure on it in an attempt to preemptively curb it. In fact, it appears the party is following a policy of deliberate deception, displaying tactical retreat at times to conceal its actual readiness--contrary to what some promote about a state of weakness or surrender--while simultaneously capitalizing on the support of its community despite the immense sacrifices of destruction, displacement, and martyrs.
Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist.
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