By Nohad Topalian | 2024-09-23

BEIRUT -- In the aftermath of recent deadly pager and radio (walkie-talkie) explosions in Lebanon that unquestionably targeted Hizbullah elements, many Lebanese are calling on the Iranian regime-backed militia to pull back from an all-out war.

At least 32 people were killed and around 3,000 were injured when their personal communications devices exploded simultaneously on September 17 and 18, sparking fear and alarm across the already troubled country.

Lebanese citizens who spoke to Pishtaz stressed that the Lebanese people do not want a war that would destroy the country and ruin the future of its youth, and accused the party of making Lebanon a target.

They called on Hizbullah to stop acting as an Iranian lackey and to surrender its weapons to the Lebanese state.

"Hizbullah has been fighting for [the Iranian regime] and taking blows and losses," said Change Movement head Elie Mahfoud, noting that it was entirely predictable that the party would face some sort of repercussion.

"Why do we have to pay a price for [the actions of] other parties?" he asked, pointing out that Lebanese medics and hospitals are the ones treating the wounded.

It is essential that "Hizbullah stop all its military activities and no longer expose civilians to danger, since it is a target for the Israeli army," Mahfoud said.

The incidents have the potential to escalate the situation, and "must be a lesson to the party to stop taking chances in waging other people's wars in our territory [and] defending their causes," he said, as this could bring the war to Lebanon.

Hizbullah loses confidence

Mahfoud called on Hizbullah to "recognize the Lebanese law and constitution, hand over its weapons to the rightful authority and go back to being part of Lebanon."

It must respond to the Lebanese people's demands to defuse the prospect of war, and to stop the rumors and disinformation that only serve false agendas, he said.

One immediate repercussion of the incidents is a "decline in the confidence of Hizbullah's base in its strength and ability to handle any confrontation with Israel," said Lebanese Center for Research and Consulting director Hassan Qutb.

It raises questions about Hizbullah's responsibility for bringing Lebanon "into this asymmetrical military confrontation," he told Pishtaz.

"With Hizbullah's power undermined following the electronic explosions, the party will not be able to serve the Iranian effort," he said.

As a target for the Israeli army, Hizbullah puts civilians at risk, he added, and "should stop its military operations and its serving of false agendas that cause harm to the future of Lebanon and its youth."