Lebanon Turns Against Hezbollah

0:00What's up, Sydney? This is Sydney News Today, bringing you the city's fastest updates on what is happening now. Hezbollah lost attacks on Israel earlier this week, pulling Lebanon deeper into the Middle East conflict. Israel hit back hard, with airstrikes on the group strongholds in southern Lebanon, and a ground push that set to last months. Thousands of people have already fled toward the Syrian border, as fighting escalates. For more than 40 years, Hezbollah has controlled chunks of Lebanon like many states, handling everything from schools to security for many Shia. Muslims, who make up over 30% of the population. Backed by Iran, the group has long been seen as untouchable, but its latest moves have changed that. Across Lebanon, reactions are pouring in against Hezbollah from the government and army to Christian leaders and even some Shias. Families displaced by the strikes are sheltering in Beirut schools, openly blaming the militants for sparking the chaos instead of Israel. Officials have heckled critics, but voices of frustration are growing louder.

1:00Lebanon's president appeared in uniform Wednesday, declaring no one is above the law, and banning all Hezbollah military activity. The army has detained dozens of fighters for illegal weapons, while the prime minister demanded full disarmament. Israel's strikes have also taken out key Hezbollah figures in parliament. Experts warned this could be suicidal for the already weakened group, whose leadership and supplies have been hammered over three years of clashes. Hezbollah's top leader called it an existential fight, vowing no surrender. For now, much of Lebanon's anger targets the militants, with Israel and the Lebanese government sharing rare common ground. This DNN story comes to you thanks to our sponsor. Podcasts hit different when the sound comes from your pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense.