This is Beirut spoke with Beirut's residents to ask whether they believe Tehran speaks on Lebanon's behalf.
Their message is clear: Iran does not represent Lebanon, nor does it represent them in negotiations.
By @ClaudiaGroeling and @AtrachRalph
@LemarocN@LCI Mais ferme ta gueule espece de marocain a la con. Tu represente que des bédouins et des buveurs de pisse. Le Liban n’a rien avoir avec toi le pilote de dromadaire
@RimaHas Combattante auprès des groupes palestiniens sale refugiée? Les mm groupes qui nous ont massacré??? Espece de poubelle tu finira par avoir le meme sort que cette terroriste.
Amid war, displacement and growing criticism within parts of Lebanon’s Shia community, Hezbollah’s ability to mobilize its traditional support base appears to be weakening, but a fragmented opposition has yet to emerge as a credible political alternative, writes Ralph Atrach. @AtrachRalph
Insights from: @haningdr Mona Fayad, Bashshar Haydar
Read more here: https://t.co/lSnHvdpbzS
As Lebanese and Israeli officials continue to engage in historic talks mediated by the United States, the newly-founded Lebanon-Israel Peace Alliance (LIPA - @LebIsraelPeace) advocacy organization brought together Lebanese and Israeli figures to extend a vision of peace beyond official diplomatic channels and foster dialogue and coexistence, Ralph Atrach (@AtrachRalph) and Amal Chmouny (@amal_is_hope) write.
Insights from Hagar Chemali (@HagarChemali), co-founder of LIPA
👉 More here: https://t.co/bAb4tmo5Zm
It’s great that the Lebanese media institutions are breaking the taboo/law and interviewing Israelis.
After @ThisIsBeirut_ interviewed the Israeli ambassador to Washington DC @yechielleiter in December 2025, and again in May 2026, now @LBCI_NEWS interviews an Israeli journalist.
Here’s a link to both TIB interviews: https://t.co/QA9lVIjxyu
@RimaHas Pour les petits français blancs européens innocents, la musique sur cette vidéo c’est un chant en hommage aux terroristes du Hezbollah. Oui les même terroristes qui revent de vous violer. D’ailleurs @RimaHas vive les kataebs , tes ancêtres les connaissent bien :)
Commentary: For decades, Hezbollah has presented itself as a resistance movement. Yet some of its most forceful rhetoric has been directed at the Lebanese state, its institutions, and political actors advocating for state authority.
This raises a broader question about who Hezbollah is truly confronting: external adversaries, or the Lebanese state itself as it seeks to assert its authority on the militia’s parallel political and financial structures.
By @AtrachRalph
The border town of Qaa is calling for one thing: a state that fully exercises its authority. Residents and local officials warn that Hezbollah’s armed presence, illegal smuggling, and the absence of state control continue to fuel insecurity and fear of conflict.
By @ClaudiaGroeling and @AtrachRalph
In Qaa, residents blame Hezbollah-linked smuggling networks for damaging Lebanon’s economy and international trade. They argue that uncontrolled borders, drug trafficking, and weapons outside state authority have contributed to economic decline and strained relations with Gulf countries.
Their message is clear: secure the borders, strengthen the state, and end smuggling.
By @ClaudiaGroeling and @AtrachRalph
Along the Lebanese-Syrian border near Qaa, locals point to illegal crossings and longstanding smuggling routes that they say have benefited Hezbollah and harmed local communities.
For many in Qaa, the answer lies in stronger state authority, effective border control, and the closure of illegal crossings.
By @ClaudiaGroeling and @AtrachRalph