Tensions continue to mount in Lebanon as the government pushes forward with a plan to disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah—a move that has sparked strong resistance from the Iran-backed organization and its supporters.
The controversy comes amid renewed Israeli military activity and growing international pressure, particularly from the United States, urging Lebanon to rein in armed factions operating outside the state’s control.
In a defiant televised address on Tuesday from an undisclosed location, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem firmly rejected calls for disarmament, declaring that the group would not lay down its weapons “under Israeli fire.” He emphasized that Lebanon’s defense against Israel should not be determined by imposed timelines but through national consensus.
“The resistance is fine, strong, and ready to fight for Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence,” Qassem said, referencing Hezbollah’s longstanding narrative of defending the country against Israeli aggression. He warned that if Israel resumed full-scale war, Hezbollah would respond forcefully, threatening, “All the security they [Israel] have built over eight months will collapse within an hour.”
The speech followed a visible show of strength by Hezbollah supporters on Monday night. Dozens took to the streets of Dahiya, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, riding in motorcycle convoys and waving flags bearing the images of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s national colors.
The demonstrations coincided with a key Lebanese cabinet meeting discussing a roadmap to bring all weapons under state control by the end of the year.
Following the meeting, Lebanese Prime Minister Joseph Aoun confirmed that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) would be officially tasked with implementing the disarmament plan. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reiterated the government’s position, stating the state alone must have the exclusive right to possess weapons, a stance echoed in a report from Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
The proposal has ignited internal tensions, not only among Hezbollah members but also among segments of the Lebanese population who see the group as a protector of the nation, particularly in the face of frequent Israeli incursions. These sentiments are fueled by near-daily violations of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, originally established to halt fighting last November.
The disarmament debate places Lebanon at a critical crossroads. While the government pushes for the consolidation of military power under national institutions, Hezbollah continues to frame its armed presence as essential for resisting Israeli occupation and protecting Lebanese sovereignty.
With both domestic and international forces pressing for divergent outcomes, Lebanon faces a complex challenge—balancing the demands of state sovereignty with the political and military influence of one of its most powerful factions.
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