Lebanese President Joseph Aoun intensified calls for Hezbollah to surrender its weapons during a Thursday Army Day speech, as the United States ramps up pressure to disarm the Iran-backed militant group. Aoun revealed that Lebanon has revised a US proposal, presenting amendments to the Cabinet next week that demand an immediate halt to Israeli airstrikes, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel.

In return, Lebanon proposes the withdrawal and surrender of all non-state weapons, including Hezbollah’s arsenal, to the Lebanese Army. Aoun also called for $1 billion in annual international aid for a decade to strengthen the army and a donor conference to fund reconstruction of areas devastated by last year’s Israel-Hezbollah war. The conflict, which killed thousands and caused billions in damages, ended with a US-brokered ceasefire in November 2024, mandating both Hezbollah and Israeli forces to withdraw south of the Litani River, with the area patrolled by Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers.

However, Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Kassem, defiantly rejected disarmament talks on Wednesday, calling the group’s weapons essential to Lebanon’s strength and accusing proponents of aiding Israel. Hezbollah insists it will not discuss disarmament until Israel fully withdraws and ceases strikes, which continue almost daily, targeting alleged Hezbollah infrastructure. The ceasefire’s ambiguity on weapons north of the Litani River fuels tensions, with Israel and the US demanding total disarmament, while Hezbollah claims the deal applies only to southern Lebanon. As Aoun navigates this delicate issue, the risk of renewed conflict looms over Lebanon’s fragile recovery.

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