Lebanon’s government has taken the unprecedented step of banning the military and security operations of Hezbollah, declaring that all armed activities conducted outside state authority are now illegal.
The decision was announced on Monday following an emergency cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Officials said the move was aimed at reinforcing state control over weapons and preventing 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 stated. He added that Hezbollah must immediately halt its armed operations and surrender its weapons to the state.
The announcement came just hours after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching rockets and drones toward Israel, describing the attack as retaliation for the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during recent US-Israeli strikes.
Israel responded with intense bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs and several towns in southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities said at least 52 people were killed and more than 150 injured in the strikes. The Israeli military described the operation as a broad wave of attacks targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, including weapons depots, missile systems and launch sites.
Among the locations hit were branches of Al-Qard al-Hassan, a financial institution linked to Hezbollah that has previously faced US sanctions. Israel alleged that the facilities were used to finance and support the group’s operations.
The decision to outlaw Hezbollah’s armed wing carries significant political consequences. Hezbollah holds seats in Lebanon’s parliament and remains part of the governing coalition. According to a source close to the government, ministers affiliated with the Amal Movement — Hezbollah’s key Shiite ally — along with one Hezbollah-aligned minister, voted in favour of the cabinet resolution.
Justice Minister Adel Nassar confirmed that judicial authorities have instructed security agencies to immediately arrest those responsible for launching rockets, as well as individuals accused of incitement.
The renewed violence sparked panic across Beirut, with heavy traffic as residents fled affected neighbourhoods. Schools and universities were ordered shut amid worsening 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 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. That truce has been monitored by a joint committee including Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France and UN peacekeepers. However, sporadic clashes have continued, with Israel accusing Hezbollah of attempting to rebuild its arsenal.
Prime Minister Salam called on the United States and France — guarantors of the ceasefire — to pressure Israel to immediately halt its 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 marks a dramatic shift in Beirut’s stance, as officials seek to prevent Lebanon from being pulled deeper into the expanding regional conflict triggered by recent US-Israeli military operations against Iran.