Lebanon calls for ‘unity’ following the assassination of Nasrallah.

On Sunday, Lebanon’s army cautioned citizens against actions that could disrupt public order in the crisis-stricken nation following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the powerful Iran-backed group Hezbollah, by Israel.

In a statement, the army urged citizens to maintain national unity and refrain from engaging in actions that could threaten civil peace during this perilous time, especially after the significant attack that took Nasrallah’s life and ongoing Israeli assaults. The statement also warned that “the Israeli enemy is working to execute its destructive plans and incite divisions among the Lebanese people.”

Lebanon has a long history of sectarian divisions, which contributed to a devastating civil war from 1975 to 1990. Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim movement with considerable influence in southern Lebanon, has faced criticism from certain Lebanese politicians for its decision to establish a “support front” against Israel in response to the Gaza war nearly a year ago.

A Lebanese army official informed AFP that troops have been stationed in Beirut since Saturday, where thousands of individuals have fled from intense Israeli bombardments in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on Lebanese citizens to unite in order to maintain civil order. “Our national duty at this historic and exceptional moment requires us to put aside political disagreements,” he stated on Saturday after truncating his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations special coordinator for Lebanon, echoed the call for unity in a statement on X on Sunday, emphasizing that “this critical moment for Lebanon, marked by uncertainty, is the time for the nation to concentrate on the common interests that bind its people together.”

Hezbollah has been engaged in cross-border exchanges of fire with Israel in support of its ally Hamas since the unprecedented attack on Israel by the Palestinian militant group on October 7, which ignited the conflict in Gaza. However, this week, Israel has redirected its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon, where heavy bombings since Monday have resulted in hundreds of casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands.