Hezbollah Leader Unyielding in Face of Israeli Coercion: Declines Submission Amidst Threats
As of mid-2025, the disarmament of Hezbollah remains a contentious issue, with significant advancements made by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) but firm rejection from Hezbollah's leadership.
The LAF has reportedly dismantled more than 90% of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon and near the Litani River, with assistance from Israeli intelligence. The Lebanese government announced that about 80% of the objectives to disarm militias and destroy Hezbollah's weapon stockpiles had been achieved by late May 2025.
However, Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, has stated unequivocally that the group will not disarm until there is a full withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from all Lebanese territory. Qassem emphasised that Hezbollah’s weapons are essential as a “backbone of the resistance” against Israeli aggression and occupation.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has expressed aspirations to have all weapons under state control by the end of 2025, suggesting integration of some Hezbollah militants into the Lebanese Armed Forces rather than forced disarmament. The Lebanese government is preparing an official response to the United States envoy’s recent demand for Hezbollah’s disarmament, with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, known for his strong ties with Hezbollah, expected to lead negotiations.
The United States envoy, Tom Barrack, is engaging Lebanese leaders to promote a "historic moment" for Lebanon, pushing for disarmament and a unified national army. However, Hezbollah’s stance remains uncompromising in the absence of Israeli withdrawal, which complicates the Lebanese authorities' position and response to US demands.
In summary, while the LAF has made tangible progress in disarming Hezbollah militarily in some areas, the political and strategic impasse remains, with Hezbollah insisting on retaining arms until Israel fully withdraws from Lebanese territory, and Lebanese authorities seeking a negotiated, non-forcible resolution in response to US demands.
[1] Lebanese Forces Make Significant Progress in Disarming Hezbollah, Al-Jazeera, May 2025. [2] Hezbollah Refuses to Disarm, Cites Israeli Presence as Justification, BBC News, June 2025. [3] Lebanon Prepares Response to US Demand for Hezbollah's Disarmament, Reuters, July 2025. [4] IDF Still Occupies Some Southern Positions, Complicating Disarmament, The Jerusalem Post, June 2025.
Hezbollah's refusal to disarm, as stated by deputy leader Naim Qassem, is a political stance rooted in the group's belief that their weapons are essential for resistance against Israeli aggression and occupation. This stance complicates the Lebanese authorities' position and response to US demands for Hezbollah's disarmament, as evidenced in the Lebanese government's preparations for a negotiated response led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The ongoing war-and-conflicts and general-news surrounding the disarmament of Hezbollah continue to dominate headlines as the issue remains contentious, with the enthusiasm for disarmament from the Lebanese Armed Forces in contrast with Hezbollah's firm rejection.
