** The rise in tensions in Lebanon: between national security and regional issues **
The recent warning of the Lebanese authorities to the Palestinian faction Hamas, urging it to refrain from any attack from Lebanon, underlines the complexity of regional relations and the challenges linked to national security. This message, issued by the Superior Council of Defense of Lebanon, intervenes in a context where the very place where the front lines are found seems to oscillate, causing permanent instability.
### Historical and regional context
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, Lebanon, already marked by internal fractures and past conflicts, has been found in a delicate position. Although the presence of Hamas in Lebanon is not new, the recent events, including the rockets drawn north of Israel, exacerbated tensions. The Lebanese authorities, anxious to protect national sovereignty and to avoid a stack in external conflicts, go further by promising severe measures against those who threaten the country’s stability.
### The challenges of sovereignty
The message of the Lebanese authorities, which places national security above everything, is indicative of a desire to restore control over a territory where several armed factions, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, have a significant influence. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam clearly mentioned the need to recover “illegal weapons”, which raises the question of state authority in the face of armed groups who have often positioned themselves as defenders against Israeli aggression.
The armed presence of these factions raises a complex dilemma: how to reconcile the right to resistance in the face of occupation and the need to preserve unity and national stability? The tension between nationalism and security is palpable and requires careful reflection on the means of achieving a balance.
### Humanitarian impacts
In parallel, the context of violence and now family assault for many Lebanese – whether Palestinian citizens or refugees – generates a multitude of humanitarian consequences. Israeli strikes in reaction to attacks, such as those following rocket fire, cause loss of human life, including among civilians. These events illustrate the vicious cycle of reprisals linked to acts of violence which underline the imperative of security but which, in return, feed resentment and collective suffering.
### Outlook for the future
The imminent visit of the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Lebanon could offer an opportunity for dialogue, but it takes place in a climate of palpable mistrust and internal pressure. If the Lebanese authorities seem to want to assert their control and promote a peaceful line of conduct, reality on the ground remains complex.
A sustainable solution would go through a concerted approach associating not only the Lebanese and Palestinian political actors, but also the regional and international powers. How to hire those responsible to want to work for a sincere commitment to peace, while taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the public concerned?
### Conclusion
Lebanese affairs, particularly in the south of the country, are marked by the need to find a balance between internal forces and external pressures. The commitment of the Lebanese authorities to protect national sovereignty and guarantee the security of their citizens is essential, but it must be coupled with constructive dialogues. How will the various actors sail in this complex environment, while ensuring the dignity and the rights of Lebanese and Palestinians? This questioning remains at the heart of concerns both for the immediate future and for the search for a sustainable peace in the region.