Hezbollah stages parade in central Beirut, rattling and outraging Lebanese citizens
Hezbollah held an armed parade this week in the heart of Beirut—a calculated show of force that has drawn sharp criticism from across the Lebanese political spectrum and stirred fears of renewed internal unrest.
The march, held in Beirut's central al-Hamra neighborhood, featured masked Hezbollah fighters parading through a civilian district with military-style precision and heavy weaponry. Photos and videos of the event quickly spread on social media, prompting public outrage and renewed debate over the group's role in Lebanese society.
According to observers in Lebanon, the parade served a dual purpose: it projected strength following the group's recent confrontation with Israel and signaled its strategic intentions going forward.
Reports citing Arab media claim Hezbollah is conducting internal deliberations about scaling back parts of its weapons stockpile as part of a broader 'strategic reassessment.'
According to Lebanese sources, Hezbollah leaders are reportedly debating whether the group's once-vaunted military arsenal has become more of a political liability than an asset. Some factions within the organization are said to support a partial disarmament in order to focus on keeping tactical capabilities such as light rockets and anti-tank weapons while reducing heavier armaments.
The armed march also came amid pressure from the United States for Hezbollah to disarm. Washington's Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barak, has urged Lebanese authorities to commit to the principle that only the state should maintain an armed force. America's demand, which was reportedly raised during meetings last month and is expected to be discussed again in July, calls for the dismantling of all militias to ensure full state control over security.
While Hezbollah has publicly rejected the notion of full disarmament, the optics of armed men marching openly through Beirut reportedly rattled many Lebanese citizens, who are still grappling with economic collapse, political paralysis, and growing insecurity.
Commentators noted the parade was likely intended as both a warning to external powers and a test of Lebanese society's tolerance for renewed displays of militarism. For many, it evoked memories of past violence and raised the specter of further instability at a time when the country can least afford it.
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