Lebanese Cabinet Welcomes Army Plan to Disarm Hezbollah Amid US Pressure

Lebanon's cabinet recently welcomed a military plan to disarm Hezbollah, marking an unprecedented move amid intense domestic and international pressure, particularly from the United States and Saudi Arabia, to curb the Iran-backed militia’s power. The plan, presented by army commander Rodolphe Haykal, lacks a formal vote and a set timeline, with implementation dependent on the army’s limited logistical and personnel capabilities, as noted by Information Minister Paul Morcos. Hezbollah and its allied ministers protested the session, with all five Shiite ministers walking out, warning that decisions without their representation violate Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system. The government aims for the state to control all militia weapons by the end of the year, though details remain classified and the plan's progress will be monitored monthly. Observers caution that forcibly disarming Hezbollah, which maintains significant political, military, and social influence in Lebanon, risks igniting internal conflict. Israeli military operations in Lebanon and the ongoing regional tensions further complicate the situation, with Hezbollah insisting disarmament discussions are premature while Israel continues its military actions.