Hezbollah deployed its elements in an “unprecedented” manner in its stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, according to a witness to the Arab World News Agency.
The witness stated that Hezbollah members are checking the identities of passersby on the main and side streets of the southern suburbs.
He also said that Hezbollah members are deployed wearing black masks.
According to the witness, the reason for the security tightening was not immediately apparent.
Hezbollah’s presence and activities in Lebanon have been marked by significant tensions and confrontations, particularly along the Lebanon-Israel border. In recent times, these tensions have escalated, with Hezbollah and Israel engaging in more intense exchanges of fire, raising concerns of a potential broader conflict . Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has indicated that the group’s military actions are in response to Israeli operations in Gaza, suggesting that Hezbollah’s attacks would only cease if the violence in Gaza stops. This stance has led to increased military activity along the border, with Hezbollah firing rockets into northern Israel, and Israel conducting strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
The situation is further complicated by the broader regional context, where Hezbollah’s actions are seen as part of a wider conflict involving Palestinian groups and Israel. Israeli officials have warned of severe consequences if Hezbollah escalates the conflict into a full-scale war, while Hezbollah maintains a strong military posture, ready for all possibilities. This ongoing tension has resulted in significant casualties and displacement of people in the affected areas, contributing to the already dire economic and political situation in Lebanon .
