May 25 marks the anniversary of Lebanon’s liberation from an 18-year-long Israeli occupation, achieved in the year 2000. Widely recognized as a result of steadfast resistance, this was the day one of the world’s most powerful armies was forced to retreat from South Lebanon—defeated.

The Lebanese resistance movement, led primarily by Hezbollah, a predominantly Shiite political and military group, was formed in 1982 in response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War.

This group became the driving force behind the Israeli withdrawal and is widely regarded in Lebanon as a symbol of national pride and a testament to the power of sustained resistance against occupation.

Khiam Prison: A History of Torture and Resistance

To fully understand the significance of Liberation Day, one must examine the atrocities committed at Khiam Prison. Originally built in the 1930s by the French Mandate authorities as a military barracks, the facility was later used by the Lebanese Army. It eventually came under the control of the South Lebanon Army (SLA), an Israeli-backed militia.

During the occupation, Khiam Prison became one of the most notorious detention centers in West Asia. Over 5,000 Lebanese—both resistance fighters and civilians, including women—were imprisoned and subjected to brutal torture that violated international human rights laws.

Methods of torture included severe beatings with cables, batons, and fists; electric shocks administered to sensitive areas such as the genitals; prolonged solitary confinement in dark, airless cells; and psychological torture such as sleep deprivation and threats of sexual violence. 

One of the most horrific punishments was confinement in a “punishment cell”—a damp, lightless box where prisoners were left for days in their own waste, exposed to extreme temperatures and deprived of food and water.

While the SLA carried out much of the torture, the prison operated under Israeli oversight. As liberation neared, Khiam Prison collapsed—marking a pivotal moment of victory for the resistance movement.

Liberation and Leadership

This year’s Liberation Day was commemorated without the presence of one of the resistance movement’s founding figures, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, former Secretary-General of Hezbollah.

He was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike, and an estimated 1.4 million people attended his funeral on Feb. 23, 2025 in Beirut, Lebanon.

“Those who think that the battle with the Israeli enemy has ended are delusional, as there is still a part of our land under occupation. Some seek to devalue the achieved victory, and we must prevent that. All generations, all the Lebanese people, must be reminded that the victory we achieved did not come just like that; rather, it was the fruit of many years of sacrifices.”
— Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, May 2023

The victory of 2000 did not occur spontaneously. The people of Southern Lebanon describe it as the result of decades of sacrifice, strategy, and steadfast leadership exemplified by figures like Nasrallah, whose leadership allowed modern Lebanon to militarily defend itself against Israel.

Lebanon’s Liberation: A Beacon of Hope for Palestine

Despite being outnumbered and lacking advanced military equipment, the Lebanese people prevailed and ended decades of Israeli occupation, widely referred to as a Zionist project supported by Western powers.

Their victory is viewed as a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to liberation. Today, Hezbollah remains one of the few armed groups actively supporting the Palestinian cause. The Lebanese people have consistently expressed solidarity with Palestine over decades of conflict.

As the Israeli assault on Gaza approaches a grim two-year milestone, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, and nearly all of Gaza’s two million residents have been displaced. 

Often described as the ‘most documented genocide‘ in modern times, the Palestinian resistance continues to fight under catastrophic conditions, including forced displacement, starvation, and siege.

While many today view the Palestinian cause as hopeless amid overwhelming violence and international inaction, Lebanon’s liberation stands as a powerful reminder that steadfastness in the face of occupation can lead to victory. It shows that even against a militarily superior force, the will of a united and resilient people can – and will –prevail.