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Lebanon is teetering on the brink of collapse. On August 4th, it will be exactly one year since the deadly explosion in the Port of Beirut, which killed more than 200 people, wounded approximately 6,500 and caused the economy to plummet. The economic situation remains dire, with shortages in every field of life from food, medicine, baby formula, gasoline and electricity. The Central Bank of Lebanon has totally run out of reserves and there are severe restrictions for the Lebanese people on the amount that they can withdraw from their personal accounts.
Unfortunately, Hezbollah has become the main benefactor with the financial backing it receives from Iran. Hezbollah has almost totally dominated the country’s military, political and commercial sectors. For the last several months ,Hezbollah has been issuing “ration cards” for food, medicine and fuel, making the citizens dependent on the Shiite terrorist group.
With Hezbollah’s unparalleled political influence on the political system, Prime Minister-designate Said Harari has been unable to form a government.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz proposed on July 6, 2021 to extend humanitarian assistance to Lebanon. “As an Israeli, as a Jew and as a human being, my heart aches seeing the images of people going hungry on the streets of Lebanon,” Gantz said. No answer has come yet from Israel’s northern neighbor.
What could and should be done about Lebanon today? Is it in America’s, Israel’s or the international community’s interest to extend a helping hand to Lebanon, or is Hezbollah’s influence too great now? Have we passed the point of no return?
Here to discuss this is Dr. Walid Phares.
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