By Nohad Topalian | 2024-09-27

BEIRUT -- Hizbullah's response to recent attacks on its internal communications network has brought into focus deep inequities between its leadership and its foot soldiers, sources with knowledge of the party said.

On September 17 and 18, Hizbullah pagers and two-way radios (walkie-talkies) exploded in an attack that killed at least 39 people -- mainly lower-level party members and reservists -- and injured around 3,000.

In addition to causing chaos within Hizbullah, the blasts brought to light deep discontent that has been simmering among party members over the prolonged fighting on the southern front.

Many party members are quietly complaining that they are paying the price for Hizbullah's warmongering, as the party fails to protect them.

In the aftermath of the communications device explosions, Hizbullah elements and their families were left without support as they searched for their injured family members in various hospitals -- and for answers.

"As Shias, Hizbullah has deceived us, leading us to poverty and misfortune and endangering the lives of our sons in the name of religion and promises to do us justice," said "Muhsin," who withheld his name out of concern for his safety.

Muhsin said some of his sons fought in Syria for Hizbullah, but later shunned the party's activities.

"Those leaders live in palaces and luxurious flats, and have luxury cars and escorts," he told Al-Fassel.

"Meanwhile young people sacrifice their lives on fronts in return for salaries, which, although in dollars, are nothing compared to the leaders' wealth," he added.

Anger against Hizbullah

Hizbullah has shown itself to be incapable of protecting its members, Taharror movement founder Ali Khalifa told Al-Fassel.

"I often hear from Hizbullah members that the party's leadership doesn't make any sacrifices, while at the same time demands sacrifices from [rank-and-file] members," he said.

"The leadership doesn't hesitate to send fighters as young as 16 to their death," he added, noting that Hizbullah is exploiting the poverty some families are facing by pressuring them to enlist their sons.

"As a result, some of them die prematurely in the ongoing battles," he said.

"In [Beirut's] southern suburb, I have personally heard members hurl insults at the party and the Iranian regime and complain about the woes it is bringing upon Lebanon," he added.

"During a tour of some villages in the south a few days ago, I also witnessed the fatigue and rejection of Hizbullah and its leaders," he said.

Anger against Hizbullah is "very intense," especially after crops were burned, homes destroyed and families displaced, Khalifa said.

Hizbullah's base "is holding the party morally, nationally and politically responsible for all that destruction."