Hezbollah's Deputy Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, has strongly rejected Lebanon's newly approved government disarmament plan, characterizing it as a move that benefits Israeli interests and weakens the nation's defense capabilities. The plan, which mandates the surrender of Hezbollah's weapons by the end of the year, has triggered a significant political confrontation within Lebanon. In a televised address on August 15, 2025, Sheikh Qassem asserted that disarmament would embolden Israeli aggression and lead to the displacement of Lebanese citizens. He urged the government to prioritize resistance against Israeli occupation, stating that Hezbollah would only consider discussions on a national defense strategy after Israel halts its airstrikes and completes its withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Hezbollah, in conjunction with its ally the Amal movement, has announced a temporary cessation of street protests to facilitate political dialogue. However, Qassem cautioned that future demonstrations targeting the U.S. embassy remain a possibility. On the same day in Beirut, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani. President Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to national sovereignty and its opposition to foreign intervention, emphasizing that no group within Lebanon should possess arms or depend on external support. Larijani, in turn, denied Iranian interference, attributing the disarmament plan's implementation to the U.S. and affirming Iran's support for Lebanon against Israeli threats. He stressed that any disarmament must stem from internal Lebanese dialogue and identified Israel as Lebanon's true adversary, not the resistance movement.
The recent conflict with Israel, which concluded with a ceasefire in November 2024, resulted in an estimated $11 billion in damages, with thousands of fatalities and over a million people displaced. This conflict, coupled with the ongoing situation in Gaza, has increased pressure on regional proxy forces to disarm. The Lebanese government's endorsement of the U.S.-backed proposal, which tasks the army with developing a detailed operational plan by August 31, 2025, presents a substantial challenge to Hezbollah's long-standing position as an armed political entity. This development underscores the profound political divisions within Lebanon concerning Hezbollah's armed status, with some factions advocating for a state monopoly on arms, while Hezbollah and its allies view the disarmament plan as a violation of the nation's charter and a potential catalyst for internal strife. The situation highlights the intricate dynamics of regional powers, foreign influence, and internal Lebanese politics, with the nation's stability precariously balanced amidst these critical geopolitical tensions.