Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator
Beirut, August 2025 — The U.S. has welcomed the Lebanese government’s recent decisions to fully implement the terms of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, originally announced in November 2024. U.S. envoy to the region, Tom Barrack, expressed support via social media, stating that President Donald Trump’s administration is “ready to help Lebanon build a future of economic development and peace with its neighbors.” He also cited Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizing that the U.S. aims to support a “strong Lebanese state capable of confronting Hezbollah and disarming it.”
The Israeli government remains focused on the area south of the Litani River, aiming to prevent Hezbollah from launching ground attacks or acquiring long-range missile capabilities. However, Israel has refused to commit to withdrawing from five positions in southern Lebanon, even if the Lebanese army assumes control of the region. It also resists pledging to halt future aerial operations over Lebanese territory.
These positions place the Lebanese government in a diplomatically sensitive situation, especially amid internal criticism from Hezbollah, which accuses the government of negligence.
In a controversial statement, Barrack recently suggested the possibility of integrating Hezbollah members into the Lebanese army, noting that “Hezbollah represents half of the Shiite population.” He added that if necessary, “they should be incorporated.” He claimed that international stakeholders are willing to increase funding for the Lebanese Armed Forces, clarifying that his personal goal is not the eradication of Hezbollah.
While the U.S. administration has not officially endorsed Barrack’s remarks, sources from Al Arabiya and Al Hadath confirmed that the idea is under consideration. Critics in Washington, however, have expressed strong opposition, warning that such a move could undermine the Lebanese military and legitimize Hezbollah’s influence.
Justice Minister Adel Nassar stated that the government is awaiting the army’s report, expected by the end of the month, before deciding on further actions. He confirmed that no new cabinet session will be held regarding disarmament until the report is received. Nassar also noted that Israel’s withdrawal from the five southern positions would occur within three months of accepting the U.S. proposal.
He affirmed that the decision to disarm Hezbollah is “final and irreversible under any circumstances.”
Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad criticized the government’s decision, calling it “hasty and imposed,” and warned against repeating past mistakes like the failed May 17 Agreement. He argued that Hezbollah’s weapons are essential for Lebanon’s defense and deterrence against Israeli aggression.
Following the cabinet’s decision, Hezbollah supporters staged motorcycle rallies in Beirut’s southern suburbs, waving party flags and chanting slogans against Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Hezbollah’s media office denied issuing any official statement, emphasizing that only its recognized channels speak for the party.
President Joseph Aoun revealed ongoing international communications aimed at rescuing Lebanon’s economy, noting that nearly every cabinet session addresses Israeli attacks and reconstruction efforts.
Tom Barrack congratulated Lebanese leaders on what he called a “historic and courageous” decision to begin full implementation of the ceasefire agreement. He praised the cabinet’s move to enforce the principle of “one nation, one army.”
The cabinet session, held at Baabda Palace, focused on consolidating all arms under state control. Hezbollah and Amal ministers Rakan Nasreddine and Tamara Zain walked out in protest. Prime Minister Salam later tasked the army with drafting an implementation plan by year’s end, without explicitly addressing Hezbollah’s arsenal.
The Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc condemned the government’s “suspicious haste” in adopting U.S. demands, calling it a violation of the National Pact and the Taif Agreement, which guarantees Lebanon’s right to self-defense.
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea supported the decision, stating that any armed group outside state authority is now illegitimate. He praised the ministers’ democratic withdrawal and emphasized the importance of moving forward within constitutional frameworks.
Geagea is an aging warlord, a relic of the Lebanese Civil War, who wouldn’t mind making more money off a new civil war if the U.S. pushes Lebanon into conflict.
The Lebanese Civil War was a deadly 15-year armed conflict (1975-1990), which involved foreign meddling, and resulted in at least 150,000 fatalities, and widespread displacement and migration which remains today.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli drone and air strikes continue across southern Lebanon, targeting civilian infrastructure and causing casualties. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported six deaths and ten injuries from a recent Israeli raid near the Masnaa border crossing, with additional fatalities in Baalbek and Ansariyeh.
The Israeli army claimed responsibility for killing Mohammad Hamza Shahada, an alleged Hezbollah intelligence officer, accusing him of violating ceasefire terms. Israeli forces also launched attacks on multiple southern towns, including Kafr Shuba, Rmeish, and Aitaroun.
Observers warn that U.S. and Israeli pressure could push Lebanon toward internal conflict, allowing foreign powers to intervene under the guise of “protecting Lebanon.” Analysts view these developments as part of a broader strategy to reshape the Middle East, echoing American plans dating back 25 years.
U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, coined the term “The New Middle East” in June 2006 in Dubai. Rice predicted the process would be carried out by “constructive chaos”. There has been a great deal of U.S. instigated chaos in Libya and Syria, but none was constructive.
The U.S. used the “responsibility to protect” (R2P) to invade Libya in 2011. The R2P is an international community endorsed commitment from 2005. The doctrine emphasizes the responsibility to protect people. In the case of Libya, the country was attacked, invaded, and destroyed by the U.S.-NATO forces, and has never recovered.
If a new Lebanese civil war were to break out because of the U.S.-Israeli pressure to disarm Hezbollah, the U.S. might invoke the R2P doctrine to invade Lebanon, which they did partially in 1958, and in 1982.
On October 23, 1983, the U.S. Marine barracks was bombed in Beirut, resulting in the deaths of 241 American service members.
In November 2024, Trump pledged to end the suffering and destruction in Lebanon, if elected. The vow came following the October 1 Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. Despite the U.S. brokered ceasefire, Israel refuses to withdraw, and the U.S. refuses to force their withdrawal.
Israel had been bombing Lebanon since September in retaliation to strikes by Hezbollah in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza, who have now suffered at least 60,000 deaths from constant Israeli attacks and incursions.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reiterated the party’s commitment to the ceasefire and denied any violations. He accused Israel of repeated breaches and emphasized that surrendering weapons would compromise Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.
Hezbollah expressed openness to dialogue on national security strategy, reconstruction, and prisoner release—but only in the absence of Israeli aggression.
Meanwhile, Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh described the disarmament decision as a “national demand,” while cautioning against rushed implementation that could conceal hidden risks.
On 13 June 1978, a force of 500 commandos arrived in Ehden. Tony Frangieh, his wife Vera, their three-year-old daughter Jihane, and thirty other Marada bodyguards and aides who were at the mansion were killed in the raid.
In 1982, Sleiman Frangieh, the son of Tony and Vera, accused the Lebanese Forces of the attack.
Samir Geagea admitted that he was among the militia that was in charge of the Ehden attack, but denied being the killer. In 2018, Geagea and Frangieh was reconciled.
The Ehden Massacre: The Curse of Arab Christians (2009) by Richard Labeviere, exposes how Samir Geagea was chosen by Israel to execute the Ehden massacre.
Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist.
