The armed Lebanese group Hezbollah has stated that they will not lay down their arms despite warnings from Israel. A fierce war was fought between Hezbollah and Israel last year. The war ended with a ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States in November of that year. The agreement stipulated that Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah fighters would move north of the Litani River.
The Lebanese government and military have been working to relocate Hezbollah’s military positions from southern Lebanon to other areas. Five areas in southern Lebanon are still under Israeli control. Israel conducts air strikes almost daily. Since the ceasefire agreement, about 250 people have been martyred in Israeli attacks. In recent days, calls from the United States, Israel, and Lebanese official institutions for Hezbollah to disarm have grown louder. These parties call for Hezbollah to disarm, stating that only the state military should possess weapons. The new government that has taken control of Lebanon after the war also maintains that only the state military should possess weapons, while also calling on Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement.
In a televised address, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said that the group will not disarm despite warnings. He stated that Hezbollah fighters will not lay down their arms and that Israeli aggression must first be stopped. Qassem made these remarks as U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrak is scheduled to visit Lebanon on July 7. While Barrak has requested Hezbollah to disarm before the end of this year, the Lebanese government is expected to respond to this proposal during Barrak’s visit.
