Lebanese gov't outlaws Hezbollah's military activity, orders army to enforce disarmament in dramatic step
Lebanese government declares Hezbollah militia 'illegal' after Shia group resumes attacks on Israel
In a dramatic move that could pave the way toward a civil war in Lebanon, the government outlawed Hezbollah's security and military activities and ordered the Lebanese Armed Forces to "take immediate measures" to disarm the Iranian-backed terror group.
Following the Hezbollah missile attacks on Israel between Sunday and Monday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam slammed the engagement as an “irresponsible act” that endangers the state.
“Regardless of who is behind it, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that jeopardizes Lebanon's security and safety and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its aggression,” Salam wrote in a post to 𝕏. “We will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures, and we will take all necessary measures to apprehend the perpetrators and protect the Lebanese people.”
Following an emergency meeting of the cabinet later on Monday, the Lebanese presidency announced that it had declared a prohibition of “all Hezbollah security and military activities, considering them illegal, and obligates Hezbollah to surrender its weapons to the Lebanese state and confine its activities to the political sphere within constitutional and legal frameworks.”
“This will enshrine the state's monopoly on the use of force and strengthen Its full sovereignty over its entire territory,” the government stated.
Additionally, the government ordered all state military and security agencies to “take immediate measures to implement the above and to prevent any military operation, missile launch, or drone attack from Lebanese territory, and to arrest violators in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”
Finally, the council of ministers called on the Lebanese Army to “immediately and decisively implement the plan it presented at the Cabinet meeting on Feb. 16, 2026, specifically the section concerning the confiscation of weapons north of the Litani River, using all means necessary to ensure the plan's implementation.”
The declaration marks an unprecedented shift in the government’s stance and tone regarding the Shia militia, which has operated as a state within a state for decades.
The leader of the Christian Phalange party, Sami Gemayel, welcomed the Lebanese government's decision to ban Hezbollah's military and security activities, calling it "a historic step in the right direction." He also called for the government to declare a state of emergency, deploy the Lebanese army throughout the country to prevent violations, the canceling of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Iran and expelling the Iranian ambassador, as well as closing all of Hezbollah's illegal economic institutions.
The Saudi-owned Al-Hadath news outlet reported on Monday evening that the Shia speaker of the Lebanese parliament and close ally of Hezbollah, Nabih Berri, was shocked by the terror group's conduct and is considering withdrawing his political support from the organization. According to the report, Berri fully supports the decision of the Lebanese government.
Despite the announcement of the Lebanese government, IDF spokesman Effie Defrin said on Monday evening that the military could invade southern Lebanon in response to Hezbollah’s rocket attacks.
In an apparent indication of the IDF’s level of preparation for such an invasion, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a briefing on the northern border, which was attended by five division commanders, equal to the largest briefings held during the Gaza War.
“The Lebanese government and Lebanese Armed Forces have been warned numerous times to disarm Hezbollah recently,” Zamir stated. “They did not act, and so we know how to defend ourselves with our own means. We will end this campaign with not just Iran being struck but with Hezbollah suffering a devastating blow.”
Monday night, the IDF carried out strikes against the Al-Qard Al-Hasan Association, a separate banking system run by Hezbollah to help finance its activities.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed on Monday night that its rocket attack on Israel was a “defensive act” provoked by Israel’s “criminal acts.”
“For fifteen months, Israeli aggression against Lebanon has continued through killing, destruction, bulldozing, and all forms of criminal acts,” the group said in a statement.
The IDF began a series of strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight, including in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut. On Tuesday morning, the military said it had sent troops into southern Lebanon, beyond the five posts currently held by the IDF, “as part of an enhanced forward defense posture.”
This move came following additional rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah overnight.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
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