Hezbollah chief says group's disarmament 'an Israeli-American plan'

AFP , Sunday 28 Dec 2025

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Sunday said moves to disarm the group in Lebanon are an "Israeli-American plan", accusing Israel of failing to abide by a ceasefire agreement sealed last year.

Lebanon's Hezbollah Chief Sheikh Naim Qassem

Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, the Lebanese military is expected to complete Hezbollah's disarmament south of the Litani River -- located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the border with Israel -- by the end of the year.

"Disarmament is an Israeli-American plan," Qassem said.

"To demand exclusive arms control while Israel is committing aggression and America is imposing its will on Lebanon, stripping it of its power, means that you are not working in Lebanon's interest, but rather in the interest of what Israel wants."

Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that should have halted Israel's war in Lebanon, Israel has kept up its attacks and occupied five areas in the south of Lebanon in violation of the US-brokered truce. More than 340 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli fire since the deal took effect, according to an AFP tally of health ministry reports.

According to the agreement, Hezbollah was required to pull its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure in the vacated area dismantled.

"The deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River was required only if Israel had adhered to its commitments... to halting the aggression, withdrawing, releasing prisoners, and having reconstruction commence," Qassem said in a televised address.

"With the Israeli enemy not implementing any of the steps of the agreement... Lebanon is no longer required to take any action on any level before the Israelis commit to what they are obligated to do."

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal told a military meeting on Tuesday "the army is in the process of finishing the first phase of its plan".

He said the army is carefully planning "for the subsequent phases" of disarmament.

Beirut has demanded that Israeli forces fully withdraw from its southern territory as agreed under the ceasefire involving Hezbollah, noting that the Lebanese military can only fully deploy once the Israeli army has withdrawn.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.