Following the intense war with Israel last year, Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has begun a special strategic study on the organization’s management. The group is considering ways to reduce its role as an armed group without completely disarming. Hezbollah is contemplating such a change due to the pressures it faces and financial difficulties it has encountered. The changes in Lebanon’s political landscape are also one of the reasons forcing Hezbollah to change its approach. The war with Israel last year has significantly weakened the group. It has also affected the group’s prestige.
As Hezbollah conducts a study on its future role, the study will also examine issues related to reducing the use of weapons. Although the group is not considering complete disarmament, the study they have decided to conduct suggests that the group is realizing that holding onto weapons might cause more harm to the organization. Sources say that Hezbollah has established committees to study the reduction of its military activities. As part of this study, Hezbollah has already abandoned its weapons depots in southern Lebanon. Sources also say that discussions on further disarmament are ongoing. This includes talks about reducing missiles and drones if Israel stops attacking Lebanon and if Israeli forces withdraw from the Lebanese border areas. However, the group does not intend to give up light weapons and anti-tank systems. Hezbollah says these weapons are essential for national defense.
In recent days, calls from the the United States, Israel, and Lebanon’s official institutions for Hezbollah to disarm have grown louder. They call for Hezbollah to disarm, stating that only the state military should possess weapons. Hezbollah’s leaders oppose complete disarmament. However, the group agrees that maintaining too many weapons is neither sustainable nor strategically sound.
Despite increasing criticisms and difficulties in managing the organization, Hezbollah still enjoys significant support in some parts of Lebanon. The group performed well in the recent Lebanese general elections and is now preparing for the parliamentary elections scheduled for later this year. Many of Hezbollah’s supporters believe that the group’s armed capability is still important to counter external threats, especially those from Israel.
