Hezbollah announced on Wednesday its refusal to adhere to a Lebanese government directive to disarm the organization, condemning the cabinet’s action as a serious transgression. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam disclosed on Tuesday, amidst intense pressure from the US and concerns over potential Israeli strikes on Lebanon, that the government had instructed the army to devise a plan to limit weaponry solely to government forces by the end of the year. The proposal is slated to be submitted for government review and approval by the conclusion of August, with a scheduled cabinet session on Thursday to further deliberate, including discussions on a US-proposed disarmament schedule. Hezbollah criticized the government for what it deemed a severe misstep in deciding to disarm Lebanon of its defensive capabilities against Israel, a move unprecedented since the factions of Lebanon’s civil war relinquished their arms over three and a half decades ago.
The Iran-backed group asserted that the decision jeopardizes Lebanon’s sovereignty and empowers Israel to manipulate its security, geography, politics, and future, declaring its intention to disregard the directive. The government justified its choice as part of implementing a ceasefire from November aimed at resolving over a year of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, culminating in a two-month war. Hezbollah alleged that the government’s action was influenced by US envoy Tom Barrack and served Israel’s interests, leaving Lebanon vulnerable to its neighbor without any means of deterrence. Following Lebanon’s civil war from 1975 to 1990, Hezbollah remained the sole faction to retain its arms, but it emerged weakened both politically and militarily after its recent conflict with Israel, suffering losses to its arsenal and senior leadership.
Despite the truce in November, Israel continued its attacks on Hezbollah and other targets, vowing to persist until the group disarms. An Israeli airstrike in the southern town of Tulin claimed one life and injured another, according to the health ministry. Additionally, Israel conducted several air assaults in southern Lebanon, resulting in at least two injuries as reported by the health ministry. The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted weapons storage facilities, a missile launcher, and Hezbollah infrastructure storing tools for terrorist activities. Hezbollah demanded a cessation of the assaults before any internal deliberations on its weaponry and defense strategy could take place. The group expressed willingness to engage in dialogue once Israeli aggression ceased, aiming to secure Lebanon’s territory, release detainees, rebuild the state, and recover from the destruction caused by the conflict.
Hezbollah emphasized its readiness to discuss a national security strategy but insisted that talks could not proceed under Israeli military aggression. Two ministers aligned with Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal movement, exited the meeting on Tuesday, characterizing it as a rejection of the government’s decision to subjugate Lebanon to American influence and Israeli occupation. The Amal movement, led by parliament speaker Nabih Berri, accused the government of conceding ground to Israel rather than seeking an end to the ongoing attacks, deeming the upcoming cabinet meeting an opportunity for correction. On the contrary, the Lebanese Forces, a prominent Christian party, hailed the cabinet’s move to disarm Hezbollah as a significant milestone in Lebanon’s contemporary history, emphasizing the restoration of full state authority and sovereignty. The Free Patriotic Movement, another key Christian party and former Hezbollah ally, advocated for transferring the group’s weapons to the army to bolster Lebanon’s defense capabilities.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a televised statement, remarked that any resolution on disarmament ultimately rested with Hezbollah itself. Araghchi affirmed Iran’s support from a distance without interfering in the group’s decisions, noting Hezbollah’s resilience in rebuilding after setbacks during its conflict with Israel.