Lebanon Is Battlefield for Israel-Iran War, Warns Ayman Mhanna

Lebanon has transformed into an active front for the escalating Israel-Iran confrontation, undermining its state sovereignty. Hezbollah’s autonomy challenges Lebanon’s political legitimacy and international standing amid complex humanitarian and social crises.

Lebanon is now the overt battlefield where the escalating war between Israel and Iran unfolds, dramatically compromising the country’s sovereignty and regional stability. Ayman Mhanna, Executive Director of the Beirut-based Samir Kassir Foundation, asserts that this external conflict has deeply penetrated Lebanese territory and society.

Historically, Lebanon has faced persistent crises, yet the intensification of the Israel-Iran rivalry has placed the fragile state at the epicenter of a high-stakes proxy war. Lebanon’s enduring political paralysis and the presence of armed non-state actors, primarily Hezbollah, complicate efforts to reestablish national control.

Strategically, the autonomy of Hezbollah as an Iranian proxy within Lebanon prevents the Lebanese government from asserting genuine political authority and weakens trust domestically and internationally. The ongoing conflict escalates regional tensions, increasing the risk of wider military confrontations involving major Middle East powers.

Operationally, Lebanon demonstrates competence in administering humanitarian aid and coordinating with global institutions, which mitigates some social fragmentation. However, Hezbollah’s independent military capacity, estimated in tens of thousands with advanced Iranian-supplied missile arsenals, remains a critical obstacle to Lebanon’s sovereignty and international credibility.

The continuation of Lebanon as a proxy battleground carries significant risks: exacerbation of internal divisions, wider regional escalations, and a deteriorating humanitarian landscape. Without a decisive political shift curbing Hezbollah’s influence, Lebanon risks further destabilization and losing the ability to act as a sovereign actor in the growing Israel-Iran conflict.