Tensions Rise as Hezbollah Refuses Disarmament Amid Israeli Strikes and International Pressure

Hezbollah officials have made it clear that the group will not entertain discussions about relinquishing their remaining weapons until Israel withdraws from five strategically important hills it occupies within Lebanon and ceases its frequent airstrikes. On Thursday, the Lebanese government approved a U.S. proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah and facilitating the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. However, tensions have intensified amid both domestic and international pressure on Hezbollah to disband its military presence following a recent war with Israel that concluded with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last November. In response to the government's proposal, Hezbollah has firmly reiterated its refusal to disarm. This was exemplified when four Shiite ministers walked out of a Cabinet meeting ahead of the vote. The ministers included members of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, the allied Amal party, and independent Shiite parliamentarian Fadi Makki, who subsequently expressed his discomfort at making significant decisions without the presence of key Shiite representatives. During a Cabinet meeting led by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, the government directed the national army to devise a plan ensuring that only state institutions maintain weapons by the year's end. Following the meeting, Hezbollah issued a statement accusing the government of succumbing to U.S. and Israeli pressure, declaring that it would disregard the government's decision as if it never existed. Information Minister Paul Morcos explained that the Cabinet had voted to embrace the general objectives outlined in a proposal presented by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack. The proposal includes a phased end to the armed presence of non-state actors like Hezbollah across Lebanese territory, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, a cessation of Israeli airstrikes, the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, and the eventual delineation of the disputed border between Lebanon and Israel. Further complicating matters, Hezbollah officials have stated that they will not negotiate the surrender of their arms until Israel completely withdraws from the occupied hills and halts its airstrikes, which have reportedly killed or injured many, predominantly Hezbollah members, since the ceasefire. As tensions escalate, an Israeli airstrike on the road leading to Lebanon's main border crossing with Syria resulted in five fatalities and ten injuries, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Though the Israeli government has not immediately commented, it has historically accused Hezbollah of attempting to reinforce its military capabilities as a means of extending protection over its borders. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for cross-border attacks, alleging that their actions are in solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a recent statement, Andrea Tenenti, a spokesperson for the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), disclosed that peacekeepers had discovered a vast network of fortified tunnels throughout southern Lebanon, housing a variety of military infrastructure, including artillery pieces, rocket launchers, and explosive devices. While Tenenti refrained from attributing the tunnels to any specific group, the discovery raises further questions about the regional arms dynamics. A member of the U.S. Congress confirmed that Washington would urge Israel to withdraw from all of southern Lebanon, contingent upon the Lebanese army demonstrating full sovereignty and control over the country. Darrell Issa, who met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, stated that the U.S. aims to reinforce the Lebanese Armed Forces' exclusive right to make decisions about the nation's military affairs. While plans for peace are still under deliberation, the situation in Lebanon continues to be marked by escalated tensions, making the disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Israeli forces more complex than ever. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2