Hezbollah: The Lebanese government's announcement of the disarmament plan is "frozen" pending the cessation of Israeli aggression

A Hezbollah official confirmed today, Saturday, that the Lebanese government's announcement regarding the army's plan to confine weapons to the state opens the door "for a return to wisdom and reason to prevent the country from slipping into the unknown," considering that the actual implementation of any plan is "frozen until further notice" pending the cessation of Israeli operations.

This came in response to a statement from the Lebanese Cabinet, which welcomed yesterday, Friday, a plan for the army to disarm Hezbollah, stating that the army would begin implementing it without specifying a timeline, noting that its capabilities in this area are "limited." The statement also pointed out that the continuation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon "will hinder the army's progress."

For his part, Hezbollah spokesman Mahmoud Qamati explained to Reuters that the group's assessment is based on what the government announced that "any progress in implementing the provisions of the American paper is contingent upon Israel's commitment," saying: "This means that implementation is frozen until further notice."

Qamati confirmed that the implementation of the plan must remain suspended "unless Israel stops its airstrikes and withdraws its forces from southern Lebanon."

It is noteworthy that the Cabinet had tasked the army last month with developing a plan to confine weapons to the state and approved a "U.S. roadmap" aimed at disarming Hezbollah in exchange for halting Israeli military operations in Lebanon. However, Qamati stated that Hezbollah "categorically rejected these two decisions" and expects the government to "prepare a national security strategy."

Additionally, Israel hinted last week at its intention to reduce its military presence in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese army takes effective measures to disarm Hezbollah, while continuing its airstrikes that resulted in the death of four people last Wednesday.

Divisions in Lebanon over the issue of disarming Hezbollah have escalated since the devastating war with Israel last year, which reshaped the balance of power in the country. The Lebanese government faces increasing pressure from the United States and local allies of Hezbollah to disarm the group, which refuses to do so and considers merely discussing the issue a "grave mistake" amid the ongoing Israeli aggression.

In this context, the assistant secretary-general of the party, Naim Qassem, warned last month of the possibility of a civil war if attempts are made to confront the group, indicating that this could escalate to "street protests."