Can Lebanon's Hezbollah survive one other struggle with Israel?

[ad_1] Excessive within the hills of Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, a lot of the guts of the city of Nabi Chit lies in ruins from an Israeli airstrike.

Closely broken buildings ring an enormous crater stuffed with rubble. One full aspect of a former residence constructing is lacking, leaving a gaping opening.

Two weeks into this lethal new struggle between Israel and Hezbollah, the mayor of Nabi Chit stands on a ledge overlooking the harm.

"We aren't invading [the Israelis]. They're those invading us," Hezbollah supporter Wehbi al-Moussawi advised CBC.

"We'll all rally and we're going to kill them with our personal arms," he stated. "We aren't going to let the Zionists fulfil their goals."

His remarks are core Hezbollah messaging, sidestepping the truth that Hezbollah launched missiles into Israel to avenge the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei, it stated, pulling Lebanon into the broader struggle.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Wehbi al-Moussawi, Mayor of Nabi Chit, Lebanon stands over ooking damage, one wall of his house was ripped off in Israeli airstrike March 7, 2026" srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/2caf84e8-c191-4cfc-9d47-f1900e241b8f,1773932465952/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2846%2C1602%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/2caf84e8-c191-4cfc-9d47-f1900e241b8f,1773932465952/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2846%2C1602%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/2caf84e8-c191-4cfc-9d47-f1900e241b8f,1773932465952/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2846%2C1602%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/2caf84e8-c191-4cfc-9d47-f1900e241b8f,1773932465952/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2846%2C1602%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.776529338327091" data-cy="image-img"/> Al-Moussawi talks with CBC from his demolished residence in Nabi Chit. (Adrian Di Virgilio/CBC) Now, Hezbollah targets are being pummelled by Israeli airstrikes. Smoke curls up from hits on the southern suburbs in Beirut day by day.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Thick black smoke billows up from a building collapsing in Beirut March 18, 2026 in an Israeli airstrike" srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/48c0ddd3-b173-4892-be9d-8a58e3547e74,1773927018480/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1024%2C683%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/48c0ddd3-b173-4892-be9d-8a58e3547e74,1773927018480/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1024%2C683%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/48c0ddd3-b173-4892-be9d-8a58e3547e74,1773927018480/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1024%2C683%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/48c0ddd3-b173-4892-be9d-8a58e3547e74,1773927018480/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1024%2C683%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.499267935578331" data-cy="image-img"/> A constructing collapses after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's Bashoura neighbourhood early Wednesday. (Fadel Itani/AFP/Getty Pictures) In central Beirut, a multi-storey constructing allegedly hiding tens of millions of {dollars} in gold and money for Hezbollah underground was hit a second time on Wednesday morning, collapsing fully. It was a part of a brand new wave of assaults.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A yellow and green flag on a tall flagpole designates Hezbollah controlled territory in Lebanon " srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/0d99f062-cb33-46bf-ad07-9b478b2f4363,1773932429432/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2860%2C1606%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/0d99f062-cb33-46bf-ad07-9b478b2f4363,1773932429432/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2860%2C1606%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/0d99f062-cb33-46bf-ad07-9b478b2f4363,1773932429432/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2860%2C1606%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/0d99f062-cb33-46bf-ad07-9b478b2f4363,1773932429432/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2860%2C1606%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.7808219178082192" data-cy="image-img"/> Hezbollah is listed as a terrorist group by Canada and a number of nations, however some Lebanese, notably from Shia communities, take into account it their 'protector.' (Adrian Di Virgilio/CBC ) Some in Lebanon are calling this "the final struggle," an existential struggle for Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist group by Canada and a number of different nations.

With its ally Iran underneath assault by the U.S. and Israel, and the Israel Defence Forces pounding Hezbollah’s weapons storage and infrastructure and killing senior management, can the militant group survive this struggle?

"With a weakened Iran, Iran can't be very useful to Hezbollah anymore," retired Lebanese armed forces brigadier-general Khalil Helou stated in an interview in Beirut.

"Relating to cash, relating to weaponry, relating to the logistical help and the coaching, I believe that this can be extraordinarily tough."

<img loading="lazy" alt="Khalil Helou, a retired Brigadier General in the Lebanese army, and a geopolitical analyst." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/13924acb-98f6-41c1-bfea-95a3d5e00103,1773927808399/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%281083%2C0%2C1884%2C1044%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/13924acb-98f6-41c1-bfea-95a3d5e00103,1773927808399/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%281083%2C0%2C1884%2C1044%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/13924acb-98f6-41c1-bfea-95a3d5e00103,1773927808399/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%281083%2C0%2C1884%2C1044%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/13924acb-98f6-41c1-bfea-95a3d5e00103,1773927808399/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%281083%2C0%2C1884%2C1044%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.8045977011494252" data-cy="image-img"/> Khalil Helou is a retired brigadier-general within the Lebanese military and a geopolitical analyst. (Adrian Di Virgilio/CBC) However he cautions Hezbollah has demonstrated it nonetheless has the capability to launch volleys of rockets into Israel, in some circumstances co-ordinating with Iran.

Almost day by day rockets and drones are reaching elements of Israel, proving Hezbollah remains to be a substantial menace, he stated.

"The capability to fireplace 200 missiles in sooner or later or in just a few hours is mostly a efficiency," stated Helou, referring to a big strike co-ordinated with Iran final week.

Disparity in navy and air energy "In the end, Hezbollah is a loser," Helou stated, noting that Israel’s navy and air energy far outstrip the militant group’s.

"The Israelis, they've the higher hand, however will Hezbollah nonetheless be round in just a few months? The reply is sure."

Some Lebanese, nevertheless, are fed up and quietly need Israel to complete the job, says Ali Hamade, a political analyst and columnist at An-Nahar newspaper in Beirut.

"You'll hear lots of Lebanese, Christians, Druze, even lots of Sunnis, saying they wish to eliminate Hezbollah at any value," he stated.

"They do not like Israel, they know it's a drawback, however they need this saga of Hezbollah to finish."

<img loading="lazy" alt="Ali Hamade is a political analyst and columnist with Lebanon’s An-Nahar newspaper in Beirut." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/88c5302c-ab16-40e8-93b0-d2814eca5148,1773927913333/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1899%2C1215%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/88c5302c-ab16-40e8-93b0-d2814eca5148,1773927913333/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1899%2C1215%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/88c5302c-ab16-40e8-93b0-d2814eca5148,1773927913333/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1899%2C1215%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/88c5302c-ab16-40e8-93b0-d2814eca5148,1773927913333/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1899%2C1215%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.5629629629629629" data-cy="image-img"/> Ali Hamade is a political analyst and columnist with Lebanon’s An-Nahar newspaper in Beirut. (Adrian Di Virgilio/CBC) Canada, the U.Ok , Germany, France and Italy in a joint assertion this week stated Hezbollah should cease firing rockets into Israel and urged Lebanon and Israel to discover a political answer.

Within the midst of the escalating struggle, Hezbollah controls entry and the message. To go to Nabi Chit, within the hills, we needed to have a Hezbollah escort who led us out and in of city.

Screening who comes out and in It is the identical wherever Hezbollah has management — it operates as a de facto navy, screening who comes out and in. It sends out media invites to tour broken websites, controlling who speaks for the militant group however with out censoring what's reported.

Hezbollah remains to be dug into many corners of Lebanon and has sturdy help, particularly from Shia communities within the south, the southern suburbs of Beirut and the Bekaa Valley within the east.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Jano Alawie, fled her home in southern Lebanon for temporary security in Beirut. " srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/6df5f714-151f-45f3-b6ca-98e3df386129,1773928026639/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1574%2C1156%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/6df5f714-151f-45f3-b6ca-98e3df386129,1773928026639/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1574%2C1156%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/6df5f714-151f-45f3-b6ca-98e3df386129,1773928026639/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1574%2C1156%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/6df5f714-151f-45f3-b6ca-98e3df386129,1773928026639/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C1574%2C1156%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.3615916955017302" data-cy="image-img"/> 'The resistance is defending us,' says Jano Alawie, who fled her residence in southern Lebanon for momentary safety at an Islamic college become a shelter in Beirut. (Adrian Di Virgilio/CBC ) "Even when we lose all our houses, we won't mourn the rubble," stated Jano Alawie, who fled her residence within the south for momentary safety in Beirut.

"The resistance is defending us."

We met Alawie at an Islamic college doubling as a shelter. She was the one individual allowed to talk with us.

"When our child is born, his first phrase is Hezbollah. What do you suppose he'll say when he grows up?" she stated.

WATCH | Nonetheless supporting Hezbollah after years of preventing: What Hezbollah wished us to see on this village

Because the Israeli navy and Hezbollah proceed to alternate strikes, analysts say the Iran-backed militia in Lebanon is dropping fighters, infrastructure and a few of its means to re-arm. For The Nationwide, CBC’s Susan Ormiston examines its management and visits a village within the Bekaa Valley to search out out why folks nonetheless help the group, regardless of years of preventing. A couple of million folks in a rustic of almost six million have been compelled out of their houses, based on Lebanese authorities. A lot of these are from Shia villages in southern Lebanon.

A humanitarian disaster threatens to worsen fragile safety in Lebanon, Helou stated.

"What the Israelis are doing is they're fixing their drawback, however transferring their drawback to different elements of Lebanon."

Again in Nabi Chit, we're directed by our Hezbollah escort to an area cemetery, the place there are recent graves. In a nook, there may be an unmarked plot that was dug up after which lined over.

Israel stated its forces who landed close to right here on March 7 had been attempting to recuperate the stays of an Israeli airman who went lacking in Lebanon almost 40 years in the past. Within the lethal nighttime raid, they reportedly dug out the plot however discovered nothing. Native fighters engaged in a firefight and 41 folks had been killed, based on the Lebanese Well being Ministry.

On the graveyard, a person approaches us, pointing to 2 graves adorned with flowers. He stated two cousins had been killed that evening.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Mohammed al-Moussawi resident of Nabi Chit, Lebanon at graveyard. 41 people were killed in the town during Israeli airstrike and battle with Israeli forces." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/8fc2b3a4-621a-453a-b118-36beb41fab9c,1773928288048/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5249%2C3499%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/8fc2b3a4-621a-453a-b118-36beb41fab9c,1773928288048/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5249%2C3499%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/8fc2b3a4-621a-453a-b118-36beb41fab9c,1773928288048/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5249%2C3499%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/8fc2b3a4-621a-453a-b118-36beb41fab9c,1773928288048/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C5249%2C3499%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.5001428979708489" data-cy="image-img"/> Nabi Chit resident Mohammed al-Moussawi says Israel won't be able to complete off Hezbollah. (Angela Johnstone/CBC ) Mohammed al-Moussawi speaks to us in English, saying Israel won't be able to complete off Hezbollah.

"They're attempting. Allow them to strive," he stated. "On the finish, they will cease, they're firing and enjoying with lions."

No time to linger We are able to’t linger — the tour is leaving for its subsequent stops at close by villages hit by airstrikes that morning — and the Hezbollah information motions to us to rush up and get again in our automotive.

In Tamnin al-Tahta in japanese Lebanon, smoke rises from a pile of twisted metallic and concrete rubble. A hearth smoulders within the center. Ten folks had been killed, together with 4 kids, says the Well being Ministry. A few of them had been Syrian employees and their households.

<img loading="lazy" alt="Syrian worker Abed Mohammed Suleiman at Tamnin al-Tahta, Lebanon said his children narrowly escaped an airstrike on a small factory nearby." srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/84f92366-b3e8-4d77-930e-03ae3282c141,1773928383646/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2856%2C1594%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/84f92366-b3e8-4d77-930e-03ae3282c141,1773928383646/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2856%2C1594%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/84f92366-b3e8-4d77-930e-03ae3282c141,1773928383646/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2856%2C1594%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/84f92366-b3e8-4d77-930e-03ae3282c141,1773928383646/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C2856%2C1594%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.7917189460476788" data-cy="image-img"/> Syrian employee Abed Mohammed Suleiman says his kids narrowly escaped an airstrike on a small manufacturing facility close by in Tamnin al-Tahta, Lebanon. (Adrian Di Virgilio/CBC) A person who tells us he’s a farm employee takes us into his tent to indicate us the place the shrapnel busted up the picket construction and pierced holes in his tuk-tuk parked outdoors.

There was nothing right here, he stated of the assault web site, which gave the impression to be a cement block manufacturing facility.

Israel says it's hitting Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons storage and launches however there’s no affirmation of what the goal was.

Greater than 900 folks have been killed to this point in Lebanon throughout two weeks of struggle, based on the nation’s Well being Ministry.

Stress is mounting from the worldwide group, together with Canada, for the Lebanese authorities to barter with Israel, however to this point Israel has rejected talks till Hezbollah disarms. Hezbollah rejects disarming within the face of what it calls continued Israeli aggression.

A disarmament settlement was negotiated with a earlier ceasefire and in 2025 the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL, a United Nations peacekeeping pressure, labored to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani river to the Israeli border.

<img loading="lazy" alt="A yellow and green Hezbollah flag tops a mound of rubble after an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, Wednesday" srcset="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/b8d12e5f-4bd2-4173-8812-ee50c82ce116,1773931019606/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C3024%29%3BResize%3D796 796w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/b8d12e5f-4bd2-4173-8812-ee50c82ce116,1773931019606/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C3024%29%3BResize%3D1083 1083w,https://i.cbc.ca/ais/b8d12e5f-4bd2-4173-8812-ee50c82ce116,1773931019606/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C3024%29%3BResize%3D1280 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 762px) calc(100vw - 32px),730px" src="https://i.cbc.ca/ais/b8d12e5f-4bd2-4173-8812-ee50c82ce116,1773931019606/full/max/0/default.jpg?im=Crop%2Crect%3D%280%2C0%2C4032%2C3024%29%3B" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333" data-cy="image-img"/> A Hezbollah flag flies from a mound of rubble after an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut on Wednesday. (Susan Ormiston/CBC) It was partially accomplished, stated Ali Hamade, "however they by no means stated that it was a deep cleansing." Hezbollah nonetheless had a cache of arms to attract on, he stated.

With the outbreak of struggle right here on March 2, the Lebanese authorities formally declared a ban on Hezbollah's navy actions and rejected launching any missiles or drones from Lebanese territory, however how that will be enforced now, throughout energetic struggle, is unclear.