Keeping the Lebanese army weak: A hardened US military doctrine at Israel’s service
Israel’s April 8, 2026, airstrikes killed 361 people in Lebanon, including women and children, during Operation Eternal Darkness, marking one of its deadliest single-day attacks in Lebanon’s history. The US policy of maintaining Israel’s 'qualitative military edge' (QME) has historically hindered Lebanon’s army from receiving adequate arms to counter Hezbollah, despite widespread domestic support for the military over Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Israel conducted a devastating airstrike campaign on April 8, 2026, targeting Lebanon across its northern, central, and southern regions. In just 10 minutes, Israeli forces dropped 100 bombs, killing 361 people, including civilians, during an operation dubbed 'Eternal Darkness.' The strikes hit areas like Hermel, the Bekaa Valley, Beirut, and southern towns, triggering international condemnation and a brief 10-day truce brokered by the US. Lebanese civilians, including filmmaker Wissam Charaf, described the attacks as unprecedented in scale, with rapid-fire strikes devastating residential areas. Footage from Kayfoun showed a bomb hitting near pedestrians, including two young girls, as Israel’s military intensified its campaign against Hezbollah strongholds. The death toll underscored the escalation of hostilities since October 2023, as Israel repeatedly violated Lebanese airspace. The Lebanese army, widely respected domestically, remains underarmed due to US policy prioritizing Israel’s 'qualitative military edge' (QME). Hezbollah, backed by Iran, refuses to disarm, leaving the Lebanese military unable to enforce sovereignty. Public opinion in Lebanon increasingly views Hezbollah and Iran as threats, contrasting with the army’s perceived legitimacy. Diplomatic efforts to include Lebanon in a broader Iran ceasefire deal gained momentum after the strikes, but US envoy Tom Barrak’s limited support for arming the Lebanese army frustrated many Lebanese. The 10-day truce, announced by former US President Donald Trump, aimed to enable peace negotiations, though underlying tensions persist. The conflict has deepened Lebanon’s crisis, displacing over a million Shiites and worsening economic collapse. Iran’s influence through Hezbollah remains a key driver of instability, while the US policy of military restraint on Lebanon continues to shape regional dynamics.
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