Cabinet orders disarmament amid escalating cross-border violence
Beirut: Lebanon’s government on Monday banned all military and security activities by Hezbollah, marking an unprecedented move against the Iran-backed group as Israel intensified airstrikes across the country.
After an emergency cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared that the state rejected any armed action launched from Lebanese territory outside official institutions. Consequently, the government prohibited Hezbollah’s military operations and ordered the group to hand over its weapons.
The decision followed Hezbollah’s announcement that it had fired rockets and drones toward Israel early Monday, describing the attack as retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli strikes.
In response, Israel bombarded Beirut’s southern suburbs and dozens of villages in southern Lebanon. Lebanese authorities reported at least 52 people killed and 154 wounded. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it struck more than 70 Hezbollah targets, including weapons depots and missile launchers.
Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad condemned the cabinet’s move as “rash,” arguing that Lebanese citizens expected leaders to denounce Israeli aggression instead.
Government vows enforcement as civilians flee renewed bombardment
Salam instructed security forces to prevent any missile or drone launches from Lebanese soil. Additionally, Justice Minister Adel Nassar said authorities ordered the immediate arrest of those responsible for firing rockets.
Despite internal divisions, ministers affiliated with Amal and Hezbollah approved the cabinet’s decision, according to a source close to the government.
As strikes continued, residents fled Beirut in gridlocked traffic. The education ministry closed schools nationwide, while the US Embassy urged Americans to leave Lebanon.
Salam also called on the United States and France to secure Israel’s commitment to halt attacks. Furthermore, he expressed readiness to resume negotiations under international supervision to preserve the fragile ceasefire.
