Lebanon Bans Hezbollah's Military Activities
In a dramatic move to avoid being pulled deeper into the regional conflict, Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has announced a sweeping ban on all military activities by Hezbollah. The decision follows rocket attacks from the group into Israel and retaliatory Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory, though enforcement of the ban remains a major question given Hezbollah's political and military power.
Hezbollah has operated as a state-within-a-state in Lebanon for decades, maintaining a military arsenal more powerful than the national army. This has been a point of contention both internally and internationally, with UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701 calling for the disarmament of all militias in the country. These calls have been largely unenforced, particularly in Hezbollah's southern Lebanon strongholds. The government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a former president of the International Court of Justice, took office in February 2025, ending a long period of caretaker leadership. While his cabinet includes technocrats, several ministers were proposed by established political parties, including Hezbollah's allies. Despite this, Salam's government has emphasized reform and the implementation of UN resolutions, signaling a potential shift in policy. The decision to ban Hezbollah's military activities follows a severe escalation of violence. Hezbollah launched rocket and drone attacks into Israel, citing retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader. Israel responded with widespread airstrikes across Lebanon, including on the capital, Beirut, marking a significant breach of a ceasefire that had been in place since November 2024. Prime Minister Salam labeled Hezbollah's rocket fire "irresponsible," stating it endangers Lebanon's security and provides a pretext for Israeli attacks. The ban represents a direct challenge to Hezbollah's autonomy and aligns with a phased plan by the Lebanese Armed Forces to assert state control over all weapons, a plan Hezbollah's leadership has strongly opposed. This move highlights the deep divisions within Lebanon over Hezbollah's arsenal. While the group and its supporters argue their weapons are necessary for defense against Israel, many other political factions, including Christian and Sunni parties, view disarmament as essential for restoring state sovereignty and preventing the country from being drawn into regional conflicts. The Lebanese army recently completed the first phase of a plan to restrict Hezbollah's weapons south of the Litani River. However, extending this effort to the north is considered a far more complex and politically sensitive task, with Hezbollah's leadership vowing to resist any attempts to disarm its fighters in those areas. Enforcement of the ban will be a major test for Salam's government and the Lebanese state. Hezbollah's deep integration into the political and social fabric, combined with its significant military power, has historically allowed it to withstand pressure to disarm. The success of this new policy will depend on the government's ability to navigate internal political dynamics and potential resistance from the powerful group.
