Israel and Hezbollah militants continue to clash along the border in Lebanon as Israeli forces conduct a ground invasion. The Lebanese army, despite being a beloved institution in the country, is ill-prepared to defend against modern armies like Israel due to its aging arsenal and lack of air defenses. With Hezbollah overshadowing the army in terms of numbers and weapons, the army has largely remained on the sidelines as the conflict unfolds.
The Israeli invasion aims to push Hezbollah back from the border and allow displaced residents of northern Israel to return. The Lebanese army has withdrawn from observation posts along the frontier and repositioned, but analysts suggest that the army would put up a limited fight if Israeli forces advanced further. The army’s capabilities were significantly weakened during the civil war, leaving it exposed during the 2006 conflict with Israel.
The U.S. has been a primary funder of the Lebanese army, but support has been limited due to concerns that advanced weaponry could fall into the hands of Hezbollah. The U.S. has enacted laws to ensure Israel maintains a military edge in the region, which has restricted the Lebanese army’s access to advanced air defense equipment. The Lebanese army is seen as a key part of any diplomatic solution to the conflict, but its capabilities remain a topic of debate as the conflict with Israel continues.
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