Lebanese state ‘biggest loser’ as Israel and Hezbollah test ceasefire, analyst say

Ronnie Chatah, host of the podcast The Beirut Banyan, says he fears the current situation in Lebanon harkens back to what the country experienced in the 1990s.

“Meaning, there's an acceptance of an Israeli presence in southern Lebanon … and that Hezbollah as an armed entity, as a militia beyond Lebanese sovereignty … will remain armed as well,” Chatah told Al Jazeera.

“That status quo is really untenable. And the minute you see rockets launched in the wrong direction, based on that ceasefire, you see strikes in Beirut. This can happen over and over.”

He added this would be the worst-case scenario for the Lebanese government, which Chatah said is trying to both disarm Hezbollah and get Israel to leave Lebanon's territory.

“The Lebanese state is the biggest loser if the status quo becomes permanent.”

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