Lebanese government endorses disarming Hezbollah by year's close
U.S.-Backed Plan to Disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon Gains Cabinet Approval
In a significant move towards establishing state exclusivity on weapon ownership, the Lebanese cabinet approved the objectives of a U.S.-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah and other non-state armed militias on August 7, 2025. The proposal, which aims to centralize all armaments under the authority of the Lebanese state, was announced by the Lebanese information minister.
The plan, expected to be prepared and presented by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) by August 31, 2025, tasks the military with devising a concrete, actionable plan for disarming Hezbollah and other militias. This move directly challenges Hezbollah's politically entrenched armed role and reflects a push for state sovereignty over weaponry.
Key details of the plan include a state monopoly on arms, operational responsibility for the LAF, a timeline for completion by the end of 2025, and a political context marked by strong resistance from Hezbollah and its allies. Despite the political backlash, the cabinet's approval signifies a unique moment of governmental assertiveness following Hezbollah's military weakening.
However, it is important to note that the full details of the U.S. proposal were not discussed by the Lebanese cabinet, and the proposal does not specify how Hezbollah will be disarmed. The cabinet's approval does not guarantee the plan's implementation, as Hezbollah and its allies invoke Lebanon's power-sharing agreements to reject the plan, warning it violates Lebanon's "charter."
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on August 7, 2025, a car was hit by a reported Israeli strike in the Masnaa area of eastern Lebanon. The car was inspected by members of the Lebanese police and civil defence following the incident, which was photographed by AFP. The objectives of the U.S. proposal include ending Israel's military operations in Lebanon, but the proposal does not outline an end date for such operations.
The U.S. and Israel have supported the plan politically and renewed/enhanced UNIFIL’s authority in southern Lebanon to potentially assist in enforcement actions against Hezbollah. Iranian efforts to preserve Hezbollah's influence in Lebanon have intensified, exemplified by the visit of Iranian SNSC Secretary Ali Larijani to Beirut in mid-August 2025.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will closely monitor the developments in Lebanon, with hopes for a peaceful resolution that upholds state sovereignty and promotes disarmament efforts.
The U.S.-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah is a significant move in Lebanon's political news, aiming to centralize all armaments under the Lebanese state and challenge Hezbollah's armed role, causing resistance from Hezbollah and its allies.
The plan also involves ending Israel's military operations in Lebanon, with the U.S. and Israel supporting the proposal and renewing UNIFIL’s authority to potentially assist in enforcement actions against Hezbollah, while Iran is intensifying efforts to preserve Hezbollah's influence in the country.
