WhatsappAs the IDF intensifies its ground assault on Shiite centers in southern Lebanon, Druze villages and communities in Lebanon’s southeastern Beqaa Valley area have decided to return to a neutral status in Israel’s war against Hezbollah. This is pivotal and may explain why the IDF is not focusing on sending troops into the Beqaa Valley region just yet.
It has been reported that Druze residents of the village of Rashaya in the Beqaa area caught Hezbollah operatives smuggling weapons in their vehicle, apparently towards southern Lebanon. The Hezbollah were detained and beaten by the Druze, who also collected their weapons.
Rashaya is a key village on the route between Syria and southern Lebanon, which means it is a critical juncture for Shiite weapons smugglers making their way from Syria in the hopes of rearming of Hezbollah fighters. The Druze have survived in the region by keeping it neutral or aligning themselves with the country they find themselves in like the Druze of Israel do. If the the Druze in Lebanon are willing to create a buffer against Hezbollah’s weapons smuggling, then Hezbollah will be forced to use the Beirut-Damascus highway, which opens them up to being hit by the IAF from the air. It has already been reported that the IAF has blown up key bridges linking Syria and Lebanon, squeezing the smugglers even more.
Essentially, the Druze in the southern Beqaa and the the Maronite Christians in Marjaayoun, located a short distance from Israel, appear to be ready to form a sort of autonomous zone. By doing this themselves, the IDF can focus their ground energy on southwestern Lebanon where the bulk of Hezbollah are entrenched.
While it is not clear that the Druze decision was taken in coordination with Israel, what is clear is that more Israel commits to wiping out Hezbollah, the more the Druze and Christians will begin to act independently of Beirut. Whether or not a Druze-Christian autonomous zone becomes official southeast of the Litani River does not really matter in the short term. What really matters is this autonomous zone may already be in the making even without an official declaration.
