Lebanon has taken a dramatic and potentially historic step in its internal security policy by formally banning the military and security activities of Hezbollah, marking a major shift in the country’s long-standing approach toward the powerful Iranian-backed armed group.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced on March 2, that the government has ordered Hezbollah to surrender its weapons to the state, declaring that all armed operations conducted outside official state structures are now illegal. The Lebanese premier confirmed that the Lebanese Army would begin implementing a comprehensive disarmament plan immediately.

The move comes amid rising regional tensions and follows an overnight missile strike into northern Israel that Hezbollah claimed responsibility for. According to the group, the attack was carried out in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a joint US-Israeli operation on February 28.

In his official statement, Salam stressed that Hezbollah’s actions contradicted Lebanon’s declared national policy of avoiding involvement in the widening regional conflict. He warned that unilateral military operations by non-state actors risk dragging the fragile country into a war it cannot afford.

“Lebanon rejects being pulled into the ongoing regional war,” Salam said, adding that the state must assert its monopoly over the use of force. “All weapons must be placed under the authority of the Lebanese state.”

Following the rocket launches, Israeli forces carried out retaliatory airstrikes across southern Lebanon and other areas on March 2. Lebanese authorities reported that at least 31 people were killed in the strikes, raising fears of a renewed cycle of escalation despite previous ceasefire arrangements.

The exchange has intensified concerns that the fragile stability achieved after months of conflict could unravel quickly. In late 2024, Lebanon and Israel entered into a US-backed ceasefire after nearly a year of cross-border hostilities triggered by Hezbollah’s military actions in support of Hamas during the Gaza conflict.

While that agreement reduced large-scale fighting, tensions never fully subsided. Israel has continued to carry out intermittent strikes inside Lebanese territory, accusing Hezbollah of repeatedly violating the ceasefire through surveillance operations, weapons transfers, and sporadic attacks.

The government’s decision to outlaw Hezbollah’s armed activities represents one of the most consequential attempts by Beirut to reassert sovereignty over national defense policy since the end of Lebanon’s civil war.

For decades, Hezbollah has maintained a dual identity-functioning both as a political party within Lebanon’s parliamentary system and as an independent military force with significant regional influence. Backed by Iran, the group has long argued that its armed wing serves as a necessary deterrent against Israeli aggression.

However, critics within Lebanon have increasingly warned that Hezbollah’s military autonomy undermines state authority and exposes the country to regional conflicts driven by external actors.

Salam’s announcement signals a growing determination within the Lebanese leadership to prevent further entanglement in broader Middle Eastern power struggles. The prime minister emphasized that Lebanon’s national interest lies in stability, economic recovery, and diplomatic engagement rather than confrontation.

Despite the internal crackdown on Hezbollah’s military role, Salam also appealed to the international community to intervene diplomatically to halt ongoing Israeli strikes.

His statement urged global actors to “step up diplomatic efforts to stop Israeli aggression,” underscoring Beirut’s concern that continued air raids could derail efforts to restore internal stability.

At the same time, the Lebanese government indicated its readiness to re-enter negotiations with Israel under international auspices-a move that could signal a cautious shift toward de-escalation through diplomacy.

The developments unfold against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape following the reported killing of Khamenei, an event that has sent shockwaves across the region.

Hezbollah’s missile launch-framed as retaliation-demonstrates how quickly localized tensions can become entangled with broader strategic rivalries involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Lebanon now finds itself at a critical juncture: balancing internal security reforms with the need to avoid becoming a frontline state in a widening regional confrontation.

Whether Hezbollah will comply with the government’s disarmament order remains uncertain. The group retains significant political support within parts of Lebanese society and possesses a deeply entrenched military infrastructure.

The success of the Lebanese Army’s implementation plan will likely depend on a combination of internal political consensus and sustained international backing.

For now, Salam’s announcement marks a decisive attempt by Beirut to reclaim control over national security policy-an effort that could reshape Lebanon’s political and strategic landscape for years to come.

As tensions simmer along the Lebanese-Israeli border and regional dynamics continue to evolve, the coming weeks may prove crucial in determining whether this bold policy shift leads to stabilization-or further confrontation.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings