What's happened
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem denounces US and regional pressure to disarm, asserting that calls for disarmament serve Israel. He emphasizes Hezbollah's resistance and criticizes ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon, insisting that weapons are an internal Lebanese matter and not linked to the ceasefire agreement.
What's behind the headline?
Hezbollah's stance on disarmament reveals a strategic resistance to external influence. Qassem's rhetoric frames weapons as a Lebanese internal matter, dismissing international and US demands as serving Israeli interests. This stance underscores Hezbollah's view that disarmament would weaken Lebanon's sovereignty and security. The ongoing Israeli strikes and the US pressure highlight a broader geopolitical struggle over Lebanon's future. The insistence that weapons are unrelated to the ceasefire and the rejection of disarmament signals Hezbollah's determination to maintain its military capabilities, which it sees as essential for resistance. The Lebanese government's upcoming cabinet meeting will be critical in balancing international pressure with national sovereignty, but Hezbollah's position suggests that disarmament remains unlikely in the near term, potentially prolonging instability in the region.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Sheikh Naim Qassem explicitly states calls for disarmament serve Israel and that Hezbollah considers weapons an internal Lebanese matter, rejecting external demands. Al Jazeera highlights Qassem's assertion that Hezbollah will not submit to Israel and criticizes US efforts to disarm Hezbollah, framing it as serving Israeli interests. The New Arab emphasizes Hezbollah's resistance stance and Qassem's rejection of US and regional pressure, noting the group's weakened state after last year's conflict but its firm position against disarmament. All sources agree that Hezbollah views weapons as vital for resistance and sovereignty, with US and Israeli pressures seen as attempts to weaken Lebanon's independence.
How we got here
Following Israel's targeted killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr last year, hostilities escalated between Israel and Hezbollah, leading to a US-brokered ceasefire in November 2024. Under the truce, Hezbollah was to withdraw fighters north of the Litani River, but Israel has maintained strategic positions and continued airstrikes. The US has increased pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, demanding a cabinet decision, which Lebanon's government has yet to fully commit to, citing sovereignty concerns. Hezbollah publicly refuses to disarm fully, framing weapons as an internal Lebanese issue and resisting external pressure, especially from the US and Israel.
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