While Israel's invasion of Lebanon may initially boost domestic support for Hezbollah's fight against Israel, various Lebanese factions will probably become increasingly critical of the group as the war wears on, especially if Israeli troops advance and Hezbollah faces further setbacks, increasing the likelihood of localized violence between Hezbollah and its Lebanese rivals. Israel's Oct. 1 ground incursion in southern Lebanon threatens to weaken Hezbollah's domestic image further after the group failed to prevent Israel from infiltrating its ranks following the Sept. 27 assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several other senior officials. However, even before Israeli ground troops began crossing into Lebanese territory, signs were mounting that Lebanese citizens would at least initially rally against an Israeli invasion. On Sept. 28, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati -- who heads Lebanon's severely paralyzed government -- called on Lebanese citizens to ''come together,'' saying ''our national responsibility at this historic...
