Lebanon's Hezbollah officials fearful of Trump's final weeks: report

Officials from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah have described the final weeks of Donald Trump's administration as the "most dangerous period" in recent decades, amid moves to protect its senior leaders from anticipated attacks by the US and Israel.

"They've got their window and they want to finish what they started," one mid-ranking Hezbollah member told The Guardian, referring to Trump's maximum pressure campaign against Iran and its regional allies.

One senior figure told the British newspaper that coming weeks were "the most dangerous period for the last 30 years. Everyone is worried, and with good reason".

"Will [Israel] try something big in Beirut in the coming weeks? It's possible and it's true there are security alerts in Dahiyeh and in the south. This is all about protecting our leaders," said a Hezbollah member.

Steel barriers around Hezbollah's security zone in the heart of its stronghold, the south Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, were lifted last week, allowing cars to pass.

Security personnel have reportedly manned the roadsides, closely observing the flow of traffic, under the watch of large cameras.

The group's fears stem from fear of decisive action by the outgoing administration of Trump, targeting Iran and its proxies, before incoming President-elect Joe Biden takes a softer stance and opens the path to resuming a nuclear deal with Tehran.

Read also: What will Biden's presidency mean for Iran's influence in Latin America?

The assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, widely believed to have perpetrated by Israel has reportedly sent alarm bells ringing through the group's ranks that it could be next.

Israel regularly targets Hezbollah fighters in Syria with air and missile strikes, along with other pro-Iran militia and fighter loyal to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

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