Lebanon Bans Hezbollah Military Activity
In an unprecedented move, Lebanon's government has issued a sweeping ban on all military and security activities by Hezbollah. The decision comes after Hezbollah attacks on Israel and intense international pressure, signaling Beirut's attempt to distance itself from the widening Iran-Israel war.
For decades, Hezbollah has operated as a "state within a state," maintaining a military force more powerful than Lebanon's own army. The 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended the country's civil war, called for the "disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias," but Hezbollah was allowed to keep its weapons to fight Israeli forces in the south. This decision occurs as Lebanon navigates a crushing economic crisis that has seen its GDP plummet from $55 billion in 2018 to under $31 billion, with the Lebanese pound losing over 98% of its value. The nation's 2026 budget is a mere $6 billion, a stark contrast to the $17 billion budget of 2018, reflecting the severe contraction of the state. The ban follows a dramatic escalation in the long-running proxy war between Iran and Israel, which evolved into direct military confrontations, including a 12-day war in June 2025. Recent events, including the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have further intensified the conflict, pulling regional players like Lebanon into the fray. The move directly challenges Lebanon's delicate sectarian power-sharing system, established by the 1943 National Pact. Under this "confessional" system, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, the president a Maronite Christian, and the speaker of Parliament a Shia Muslim, the same sect as Hezbollah's leadership and base. Enforcing the ban presents a monumental challenge. UN Security Council Resolution 1701, passed in 2006, already called for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, but it was never implemented. Hezbollah is not just a militia but also a political party with members in parliament and deep roots in Lebanese society.
