Lebanon moves to disarm Hezbollah’s militant group amid renewed Israeli strikes

Tuesday, March, 3 2026 - Lebanon’s government has taken the unprecedented step of banning the military and security operations of Hezbollah, declaring all armed activities carried out outside state authority illegal.

The decision was announced Monday after an emergency cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Authorities said the move was necessary to assert state control over weapons and prevent further escalation with Israel.

“The Lebanese state declares its absolute and unequivocal rejection of any military or security actions launched from Lebanese territory outside the framework of its legitimate institutions,” Salam said. He added that Hezbollah’s armed activities must cease immediately and that the group is required to hand over its weapons.

The ban came just hours after Hezbollah said it had fired rockets and drones toward Israel, claiming the attacks were in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in recent US-Israeli strikes.

Israel responded with heavy bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs and multiple towns in southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities said at least 52 people were killed and more than 150 wounded in the strikes. The Israeli military stated it had carried out a broad wave of operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, including weapons depots, launch sites and missile systems.

Among the sites hit were branches of Al-Qard al-Hassan, a financial institution linked to Hezbollah and previously sanctioned by Washington. Israel said the facilities were used to support the group’s operations.

The decision to outlaw Hezbollah’s armed wing has deep political implications. Hezbollah holds seats in parliament and is part of the governing coalition. A source close to the government said ministers affiliated with the Amal Movement Hezbollah’s key Shiite ally as well as one Hezbollah-aligned minister, voted in favor of the cabinet resolution.

Justice Minister Adel Nassar announced that judicial authorities had instructed security agencies to immediately arrest those responsible for launching rockets and any individuals involved in incitement.

The renewed violence triggered panic in Beirut, with heavy traffic as residents fled affected neighborhoods. Schools, universities and other educational institutions were ordered closed due to deteriorating security conditions. The US Embassy also urged American citizens to leave Lebanon without delay.

The escalation follows months of fragile calm after a November 2024 ceasefire ended a year-long war between Israel and Hezbollah. That truce has been monitored by a committee including Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France and UN peacekeepers, but sporadic strikes have continued amid accusations that Hezbollah was attempting to rebuild its arsenal.

Prime Minister Salam called on the United States and France guarantors of the ceasefire to press Israel for an immediate halt to all attacks across Lebanese territory. He also expressed Lebanon’s readiness to resume negotiations with Israel under international supervision and with civilian participation.

The government’s decision signals a major shift in Beirut’s stance, as officials attempt to prevent the country from being drawn deeper into the widening regional conflict sparked by the recent US-Israeli assault on Iran.