Municipal leaders across southern Lebanon are expressing unprecedented public frustration with Hezbollah, as analysts predict the militant group's disarmament could occur within three years—a timeline once considered unthinkable in Lebanese politics.
Hussein Fahes, mayor of the heavily bombed town of Jibchit, articulated a position gaining traction among southern Lebanese communities devastated by Israeli bombardment. "We respect our army and want them properly equipped so that they can properly defend the people and territory," Fahes told CBC News during a recent tour of southern communities.
His community's main square and central mosque lie in ruins following months of Israeli strikes. Standing amid the rubble, Fahes continued: "If that happens, then there won't be a need for resistance forces."
The carefully worded statement—referring to "resistance forces" rather than naming Hezbollah directly—reflects the political sensitivity of criticizing the Shia militant group that has dominated Lebanese politics and security for decades. But the message is clear: southern Lebanese mayors, once reluctant to publicly question Hezbollah's role, are now openly discussing alternatives.
Analyst Rabah, interviewed in Beirut this week, offered a striking prediction about the timeline for Hezbollah's disarmament. "I believe it takes less than three years," he stated. "It's about changing the mood and changing the framing. People will simply not stay on a sinking ship. People will leave it."
The assessment represents a dramatic shift in Lebanese political analysis. For years, Hezbollah's arsenal—estimated to include tens of thousands of rockets and missiles—was considered untouchable, protected by the group's military strength, political power, and support within the Shia community.
