As Israeli forces press their ground invasion of southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army finds itself in an increasingly powerless position, unable to directly defend the nation against Israel’s superior military. This growing imbalance highlights the deepening influence of Hezbollah, which stands in stark contrast to Lebanon’s weakening national military.
The Lebanese military, once hailed as a unifying force across Lebanon’s sectarian divides, is being overshadowed by Hezbollah’s well-equipped and increasingly powerful fighting force. While Israel has launched both airstrikes and ground operations in an effort to push Hezbollah away from the border, Lebanon’s armed forces have been largely inactive, withdrawing from their frontline positions as the conflict escalates.
Lebanon’s army, with about 80,000 troops, lacks the equipment to engage Israel in a sustained conflict. Decades of financial crises and political gridlock have left its arsenal outdated and its forces underfunded. In contrast, Hezbollah, with an estimated 100,000 fighters, is well-armed with advanced weaponry, much of it supplied by Iran, giving it a clear military edge over the Lebanese army.
The army’s limited capacity has raised concerns over Lebanon’s sovereignty as Hezbollah continues to operate independently from the state. While Hezbollah has long served as a proxy for Iran’s regional ambitions, the Lebanese military has traditionally held the line against external aggression. However, the army’s inability to defend the country against Israeli advances has exposed the gulf between the state’s military capabilities and Hezbollah’s rising influence.
This dynamic has also drawn attention to the complex role of international aid in Lebanon’s defense. The United States, a key donor, has contributed billions of dollars in military aid to Lebanon since 2006, aimed at strengthening the Lebanese army as a stabilizing force in the region. However, U.S. support has limits. Some analysts argue that Washington’s reluctance to provide Lebanon with advanced air-defense systems—due to its alliance with Israel—has left the Lebanese army vulnerable to Israeli airstrikes.
While Lebanon’s army has remained largely neutral, the ongoing Israeli invasion has placed it in an uncomfortable position. Analysts suggest that if Israeli forces press further into Lebanese territory, the army could eventually engage—but likely in a limited capacity, with little hope of matching Israeli firepower.
“The Lebanese army’s mission is to defend Lebanon from any foreign aggression, but given its limitations, it would have to act cautiously,” said former Lebanese army General Hassan Jouni. “It would defend, but within its available capabilities, and certainly without going to the point of recklessness.”
This war has cast a spotlight on the strategic dilemma Lebanon faces: its army, underfunded and weakened, is unable to protect its borders against an Israeli invasion, while Hezbollah, outside of government control, grows in strength. For Lebanon, the invasion risks further erosion of its national sovereignty as Hezbollah’s role becomes even more dominant in the country’s defense.
Hezbollah’s increasing power has prompted concerns about Lebanon’s political future, with analysts warning that a continued Israeli push into the country could cement Hezbollah’s influence, undermining the Lebanese state’s ability to reassert control.
