For the first time since its founding, Hezbollah is signaling a willingness to discuss one of Lebanon’s most sensitive issues—its military arsenal. According to a senior official in the group, such talks would only happen if Israel withdraws from the five hilltops it currently holds in southern Lebanon and halts its military strikes.
“Hezbollah is ready to discuss its weapons if Israel pulls back from the five positions and stops its aggression against the Lebanese,” the official told Reuters.
Political sources in Lebanon said that President Joseph Aoun, who took office in January and is advocating for full state control over all weapons in the country, is expected to meet soon with Hezbollah representatives to examine a gradual disarmament plan. However, both the president’s office and Hezbollah have so far declined to respond officially to the reports.
Hezbollah Facing Heavy Military Pressure
Yesterday (Tuesday), Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck a weapons depot belonging to Hezbollah’s air defense network in the Beqaa Valley, deep inside Lebanon. The presence of these weapons posed a threat to Israel and was a clear violation of existing understandings between the two countries.
At the same time, Washington is ramping up pressure on Hezbollah to disarm, ahead of a new round of talks with Iran—its primary backer. According to reports, the supply routes between Iran and Syria, which served as a key pipeline for weapons to Hezbollah, have been significantly disrupted since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
