Hezbollah is open to disarmament talks, contingent on Israel’s withdrawal, according to a senior official

As the calls for Hezbollah in Lebanon to disarm grow stronger, a high-ranking official from the group informed Reuters that they are open to discussions with the Lebanese president regarding their weapons, contingent upon Israel‘s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and an end to its military actions.

President Joseph Aoun, who has U.S. support and pledged to establish a state monopoly on arms control upon taking office in January, is expected to initiate talks with Hezbollah about its weaponry soon, according to three political sources in Lebanon.

The topic of disarmament has gained urgency following the shift in power dynamics caused by last year’s conflict with Israel and the removal of Hezbollah’s ally, former President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. Hezbollah emerged significantly weakened from the 2024 war with Israel, suffering the loss of many top leaders and thousands of fighters, along with substantial damage to its rocket stockpile.

The senior Hezbollah official stated that the group is willing to engage in discussions about its arms as part of a national defense strategy, but this is dependent on Israel withdrawing its forces from five strategic locations in southern Lebanon. “Hezbollah is prepared to address the issue of its arms if Israel retreats from these five points and ceases its aggression against the Lebanese,” the official told Reuters.

This stance on potential discussions regarding its arms has not been previously disclosed. The sources requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the political situation. Hezbollah’s media office did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment, and the presidency also refrained from commenting.

Israel, which deployed ground forces into southern Lebanon during the conflict, has mostly withdrawn but opted in February to retain control over five strategic hilltop positions. The country plans to eventually transfer these positions to Lebanese forces once it is confident that the security situation permits such a move.

RENEWED FOCUS ON HEZBOLLAH’S ARMS

Although a ceasefire has been in place since November, Israeli airstrikes continue to exert pressure on Hezbollah, while the United States has insisted that the group disarm and is preparing for nuclear negotiations with Iran, its primary supporter.

Hezbollah remains the most formidable of the Iranian-backed paramilitary organizations in the region, yet its supply routes from Iran through Syria have been disrupted following the ousting of Assad.

On Monday, Reuters reported that several Iranian-supported militia groups in Iraq are willing to disarm for the first time to prevent escalating tensions with the Trump administration in the U.S.

Hezbollah has consistently dismissed demands from its critics in Lebanon to disarm, asserting that its weapons are essential for the nation’s defense against Israel. Significant disagreements regarding its arsenal led to a brief civil conflict in 2008.

Critics argue that Hezbollah has unilaterally involved Lebanon in various conflicts and that the existence of its substantial weaponry outside government oversight has weakened the state. A ceasefire mediated by the U.S. stipulates that the Lebanese army must dismantle all unauthorized military installations and seize all weapons, beginning in regions south of the Litani River, which flows into the Mediterranean approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the Israeli border.

Two sources knowledgeable about Hezbollah’s perspective indicated that the group is considering transferring its most powerful weapons, including drones and anti-tank missiles, to the army, particularly those located north of the Litani River.

CALL FOR A DISARMAMENT TIMETABLE

Aoun has stated that the issue of Hezbollah’s armaments should be resolved through dialogue, as any forceful disarmament attempts could lead to conflict, according to the sources.

Last week, Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, the leader of Lebanon’s Maronite Church, emphasized the necessity for all weapons to be under state control, acknowledging that this process would require time and diplomatic efforts, as “Lebanon cannot endure another war.”

A Lebanese official mentioned that communication channels with relevant parties are being established to “begin examining the transfer of weapons” to state authority, following the army and security services’ efforts to extend state control throughout Lebanon, aligning with Aoun’s policy.

This matter is also being discussed with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a significant ally of Hezbollah, who plays a crucial role in bridging differences, the official noted.

U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus, who visited Beirut over the weekend, reiterated Washington’s stance that Hezbollah and other armed groups should be disarmed promptly, with the expectation that the Lebanese army would carry out this task.

“It’s evident that Hezbollah must be disarmed, and it’s clear that Israel will not tolerate terrorists firing into their territory, a position we fully understand,” Ortagus stated in an April 6 interview with Lebanon’s LBCI television.

Kamal Shehadi, a minister from the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces party, stated that several Lebanese government ministers are advocating for a disarmament timeline. In an interview with Reuters, Shehadi emphasized that the disarmament process should be completed within six months, referencing the disarmament of militias following the civil war as a model. He argued that establishing a timetable, which would likely set specific deadlines for the process, is essential to safeguard citizens from ongoing attacks that result in loss of life, economic damage, and destruction.

The latest conflict erupted when Hezbollah fired in support of Hamas at the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023. In a speech on March 29, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem claimed that his group no longer maintains an armed presence south of the Litani River and has adhered to the ceasefire agreement, while accusing Israel of violating it daily. Israel, however, has alleged that Hezbollah continues to possess military infrastructure in the southern region.

Qassem has placed the responsibility on the Lebanese government to compel Israel to withdraw and cease its assaults. He mentioned that there is still an opportunity for diplomatic resolutions but cautioned that the “resistance is present and ready,” suggesting that alternative measures could be taken if Israel fails to comply with the agreement.