In a significant development amid growing domestic and international pressure, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has indicated it may be willing to discuss disarmament under specific conditions. A senior Hezbollah official told Reuters that the group is prepared to engage in dialogue with President Joseph Aoun regarding its weapons if Israel withdraws from five hilltop positions in southern Lebanon and halts its ongoing strikes. This marks the first public acknowledgment from the group suggesting openness to reconsidering its longstanding stance on arms.
Shift in Position Following 2024 Conflict
The call for Hezbollah to disarm has gained urgency since the 2024 war with Israel, during which Hezbollah suffered substantial losses, including the deaths of top commanders and the destruction of much of its rocket arsenal. The ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a key regional ally, further isolated the group, limiting its logistical routes from Iran. The Lebanese government, under the leadership of U.S.-backed President Aoun, is reportedly preparing to initiate formal talks with Hezbollah to bring all weaponry under state control.
Although Hezbollah has consistently resisted such demands, citing the necessity of arms for national defense against Israel, the group is now considering limited steps. Sources familiar with its internal deliberations said Hezbollah might hand over some of its heavy weapons, such as drones and anti-tank missiles, to the Lebanese army, especially north of the Litani River—a region where the ceasefire terms demand the dismantling of all unauthorized military facilities.
Push for Dialogue and Diplomatic Resolution
President Aoun and other senior Lebanese leaders have emphasized that any disarmament effort must be achieved through peaceful dialogue. Forceful disarmament, they warn, would plunge the country into another conflict. Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, head of Lebanon’s Maronite church, echoed these sentiments, calling for a diplomatic roadmap to bring all arms under state authority.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus reaffirmed Washington’s demand for Hezbollah and all armed groups to disarm, stating clearly that Israel will not tolerate continued attacks. The U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement requires immediate action in southern Lebanon, but Lebanese officials believe a transitional timeline may be necessary to avoid destabilization. Some ministers are advocating for a six-month disarmament plan, drawing comparisons to past post-civil war demilitarization efforts.
