Hezbollah Open to Discussing its Weapons if Israel Vacates Lebanon, Senior Official Says

Latest Developments

Willing To Discuss ‘National Defense Strategy’: Officials with the Iran-backed Hezbollah signaled on April 9 that the terrorist group would be open to discussing disarmament with the Lebanese government on the condition that Israel withdraws its troops from southern Lebanon and stops its airstrikes. An unnamed “senior” Hezbollah official said, “Hezbollah is ready to discuss the matter of its arms if Israel withdraws from the five points [strategic zones in southern Lebanon where the IDF retains a military presence] and halts its aggression against [the] Lebanese.” The official added that the discussion would be in the context of a “national defense strategy.”
State Monopoly on Arms: Once Iran’s most powerful proxy with the ability to strike anywhere in Israel using its precision-guided munitions and drones, Hezbollah’s capabilities were severely reduced by the IDF in late 2024. In November 2024, Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire in which Israel promised to gradually withdraw its troops from Lebanon as long as Hezbollah removed its fighters and weapons south of the Litani River. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who assumed office in January, promised to establish a state monopoly on arms in Lebanon, including in areas long dominated by Hezbollah.
Hezbollah Rearming: In March, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the IDF would stay “indefinitely” in the five points — a series of elevated IDF positions on the Lebanese side of the border opposite the northern Israeli communities of Shlomi, Zarit, Avivim, Margaliot, and Metula. The IDF has accused Hezbollah of frequently violating the terms of the ceasefire, including by trying to rearm itself. On April 8, the Saudi Al-Hadath newspaper reported that Hezbollah has begun to rearm by smuggling weapons through Beirut’s seaport. On April 9, the IDF said that the group was attempting to rebuild a weapons manufacturing site in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

FDD Expert Response

“It’s important to note that Hezbollah itself has not said it is willing to disarm but rather to discuss its weapons as part of an internal Lebanese dialogue on a ‘national defense strategy.’ And these, according to the group’s officials, are not synonymous. Hezbollah is not promising to disband its military arm but is likely seeking to leverage its social clout and remaining power to integrate its military apparatus — wholesale — into the Lebanese state along the lines of Iraq’s 2016 Popular Mobilization Forces law. This sleight of hand will allow Hezbollah to maintain its internal cohesion while purporting to satisfy the letter, but not the spirit, of international and Lebanese demands for the monopolization of arms in Beirut’s hands.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow

“This violates the ceasefire and the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 enforcement mechanism that the Lebanese government and Hezbollah signed because it tries to reshuffle the order. Per the agreement, Israel would withdraw after Hezbollah is disarmed, not the other way around. Hezbollah here is running down the clock, hoping to get away with keeping its arms as global interest wanes.” — Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Research Fellow

“The only force effectively disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon is the IDF. Reports of the Lebanese Army taking over Hezbollah sites south of the Litani River mean little — Hezbollah willingly handed them over, likely after relocating most of its weapons north of the river. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s arsenal north of the Litani remains untouched by the Lebanese state, in blatant defiance of the ceasefire. Both the Lebanese state and Hezbollah are stalling, and one thing is clear: Israeli action is necessary because Lebanon won’t act, and Hezbollah refuses to disarm without conditions.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst