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The Trump administration is intensifying its efforts to persuade the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. A senior U.S. official described Lebanon as a failed state due to its inability to address this pressing issue.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Thomas Barrack, also serving as envoy to Lebanon and Syria, called Lebanon a failed state during remarks on Saturday in Bahrain. He highlighted the challenges posed by Hezbollah, noting that the group maintains an estimated 40,000 fighters and possesses between 15,000 and 20,000 rockets and missiles. This contrasts sharply with the Lebanese Armed Forces, whose soldiers earn around $275 a month, significantly less than the $2,200 Hezbollah pays its militia members.
Ongoing Challenges for Lebanon’s Government
Following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in November 2024, Lebanon’s government accepted an American proposal to disarm the militant group by the end of 2025. However, reports indicate that the fragile Lebanese government and military have struggled to dismantle Hezbollah operations throughout the country, according to Israeli officials and experts.
Security expert Sarit Zehavi from the Israel Alma Research and Education Center stated that Israel is primarily responsible for disarming Hezbollah through airstrikes. “The Lebanese Army lacks the capability to effectively confront Hezbollah. We have not seen evidence of disarmament efforts. The Lebanese Army does not conduct operations in villages to search for Hezbollah’s weapons,” Zehavi asserted.
Calls for Action from the Lebanese Military
Zehavi emphasized that the Lebanese Army must engage in systematic searches house by house to recover arms from Hezbollah. She stressed that details regarding cleared villages should be made public, noting that the necessary actions have not yet been taken.
“Disarming Hezbollah and curtailing Iran’s influence is essential for achieving stability in Lebanon and the broader region,” a U.S. State Department official stated, adding that an armed Hezbollah poses a threat not only to Lebanon but also to neighboring countries. The official also mentioned that stability in Lebanon could create attractive opportunities for investment.
Continued Pressure on Lebanon
U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus asserted that the Lebanese military must implement a comprehensive plan to address the Hezbollah threat. Her sentiments were echoed by an Israeli security official, who remarked on the U.S. mechanism for monitoring Hezbollah’s activities. This official noted that while the Lebanese Army has enforced the ceasefire, the pace of implementation remains inadequate.
The ongoing hostilities prompted increased tensions when the Lebanese Army condemned an Israeli attack that resulted in the death of a municipal worker in the border town of Blida. This incident was labeled a criminal act and a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the action was taken in response to an immediate threat while targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
Lebanon’s Response to Israeli Attacks
In the wake of the Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun instructed the military to confront any further violations of Lebanese territory. This marked a significant shift in Lebanon’s historically passive stance during conflicts with Israel.
Recent reports indicate that Israeli warplanes flew over Beirut, prompting Aoun’s directive for military engagement, highlighting a potential escalation in military confrontations.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) condemned the Israeli action, calling it a clear violation of both Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty.
UNIFIL’s Role in the Region
UNIFIL’s mandate includes assisting the Lebanese Army in disarming Hezbollah and preventing the establishment of military positions along the Israeli border. Nonetheless, Israeli officials claim that UNIFIL has not successfully fulfilled its mission.
Responding to inquiries about Hezbollah’s alleged rearming efforts, UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel noted that the organization continues to monitor compliance along the Blue Line, a designated area that makes up approximately ten percent of Lebanon’s territory. He mentioned that UNIFIL recently discovered numerous caches of weapons and ammunition since November 27, 2025.
Hezbollah’s Continued Military Operations
Matthew Levitt, a Hezbollah expert from the Washington Institute, pointed out that Hezbollah is actively working to rebuild its capabilities. He observed that Israeli forces remain committed to striking Hezbollah not only in southern regions but also in the Beqaa Valley. Levitt highlighted the political pressures within Lebanon that impact Hezbollah, particularly following the Lebanese Central Bank’s actions against Hezbollah-affiliated financial entities.
Shifting Public Sentiment
Walid Phares, an academic expert on Hezbollah, remarked on a growing trend among Lebanese citizens calling for dialogue with Israel. This indicates a shift in public opinion regarding the ongoing conflict.
Phares noted, “Many Lebanese have witnessed Hezbollah’s struggles against Israel, challenging their previously held belief in its invincibility. Despite military setbacks, Hezbollah remains unwilling to relinquish its weapons or its grip on power.” He added that increasing numbers of citizens advocate for their government to pursue diplomatic relations with Israel, hoping that such steps would draw U.S. support to help disarm Hezbollah.
U.S. Support for Disarmament Efforts
A U.S. State Department official affirmed the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing the need for the Lebanese Armed Forces to assume their role as the legitimate military force in Lebanon. The U.S. expressed continued support for Lebanese initiatives aimed at fostering peace and security for all citizens.
Despite repeated attempts, the Lebanese government and its embassy in Washington D.C. did not respond to multiple inquiries regarding these developments.
