Lebanon's Government Bans Hezbollah Military Activity

The recent escalation began after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Israel responded with heavy airstrikes on Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, resulting in at least 31 deaths and 149 injuries, according to Lebanon's health ministry. Enforcing the ban presents a monumental challenge, as Hezbollah's armed wing is widely considered more powerful than the Lebanese Armed Forces. In 2021, Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, claimed the group had 100,000 trained fighters. This is not the first attempt to disarm the group. The 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended the Lebanese Civil War, called for the disbanding of all militias. However, Hezbollah was allowed to keep its weapons as a "resistance force" against Israeli occupation and has resisted disarmament since, despite UN Security Council resolutions like 1701 calling for it. The decision comes from a government led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who took office in February 2025. Salam is a veteran diplomat and former president of the International Court of Justice, whose appointment was opposed by Hezbollah and its political allies. Hezbollah is not just a militia but also a major political party in Lebanon, holding seats in parliament and positions in the cabinet through its "Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc". This deep integration into the state apparatus complicates any effort by the government to enforce a ban on its military activities. For decades, the Iran-backed group has been described as a "state within a state," running its own security and social services networks. This deep-rooted power structure has consistently challenged the authority of the central government.