Lebanon’s Struggle to Disarm Hezbollah Amid Heightened Regional pressures

Initiating State Control Over Armed Groups

Teh Lebanese military has embarked on a steadfast campaign to consolidate all armed factions under government authority, with a primary focus on dismantling Hezbollah’s military presence along the southern frontier adjacent to israel. By late 2025, the Lebanese Army publicly demonstrated its achievements by allowing media and international observers access to key zones where disarmament operations had been conducted.

This effort unfolds against a backdrop of escalating warnings from Israel, which has threatened intensified military responses should Lebanon fail to effectively neutralize Hezbollah’s weaponry and combat capabilities.

Achievements and Obstacles in the Initial Phase

The first stage of this disarmament initiative aimed at clearing weapons caches and militant infrastructure within a roughly 30-kilometer zone stretching from Lebanon’s southern border up to the Litani River. The army set an internal deadline for completing this phase by the end of 2025.

General Rodolphe Haykal highlighted that despite constrained resources, these public inspections were intended as proof of Lebanon’s commitment to asserting national sovereignty. Though, ongoing Israeli military activities near contested border areas have complicated these efforts considerably.

Conflicting Views on Disarmament Progress

While Lebanese authorities assert significant progress in removing hezbollah arms south of the Litani River, Israeli officials contest this narrative. They claim that Hezbollah maintains strong operational bases close to the border and is replenishing its arsenal at a pace outstripping Lebanese army dismantlement efforts.

The united Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), however, reports no verified signs indicating reconstruction or expansion of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure within their monitored sectors as of early 2026.

Expanding Operations: The Upcoming Second Phase

The next phase plans involve pushing disarmament efforts northward from the Litani River toward the Awali River near Sidon city-a region known for deeper political complexities. Analysts warn that resistance will intensify due both to entrenched local support for Hezbollah and potential destabilization risks within Lebanon’s fragile sectarian landscape.

“Hezbollah has unequivocally stated it will not accept any disarmament beyond southern territories,” notes political commentator Joe Macaron.”This stance sets up an habitat ripe for increased tensions.”

The Stance of Hezbollah Regarding Disarmament Demands

Hezbollah firmly rejects forced disarmament attempts outside its customary strongholds south of Litani River boundaries established after November 2024 ceasefire agreements with Israel. The group frames such initiatives as part of broader U.S.-Israeli campaigns aimed at undermining its regional influence and defensive posture.

Sectarian Support Dynamics Within Lebanon

The shia community remains largely aligned with Hezbollah due to perceived existential threats emanating not only from Israel but also from instability linked with Syria’s shifting regime dynamics. Security analyst Ali Rizk cautions that any attempt by Lebanese authorities or army commanders to confiscate weapons northwards could provoke violent backlash among militants and their civilian supporters alike:

“The Shia population feels encircled by dual threats-from Israeli aggression on one side and spillover instability from Syria on the other-fueling continued backing for armed resistance.”

difficulties Achieving National Consensus

A major hurdle facing Beirut is forging broad political agreement across diverse factions regarding disarmament policies; without unified support or compromise among pro- and anti-disarmament groups, there is heightened risk that implementation beyond Litani zones could trigger internal conflict or civil unrest.

International Pressures Challenging Sovereignty Claims

• Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam: Has expressed readiness for advancing into phase two based on formal army strategies authorized through governmental channels;
• Israel: Recently conducted airstrikes targeting suspected militant positions further north than previously acknowledged operational limits;

Iranian Role Amid Regional Power rivalries

Tensions are exacerbated by Iran’s strategic alliance with Hezbollah; Tehran’s involvement signals vested interests in preventing complete disarming measures against its proxy forces in Lebanon:

“Iran considers maintaining Hezbollah’s armaments crucial for sustaining influence throughout Levant geopolitics,” explains security expert Ali Rizk.

Navigating Complexities: Balancing National Security With Stability

Lebanon faces an intricate challenge: enforcing state sovereignty while delicately managing sectarian divisions internally; responding diplomatically yet decisively amid external pressures; all while contending with geopolitical rivalries involving regional powers like Iran alongside persistent Israeli security concerns.

• This evolving scenario highlights how deeply intertwined local governance challenges are with broader Middle Eastern geopolitical dynamics shaping prospects for peace today-and into the future.