On the line of resistance: Hezbollah named the conditions for disarmament

The Hezbollah movement insists on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, the cessation of attacks and the release of prisoners before discussing the issue of disarmament. Lebanese sources told Izvestia about this. In the meantime, US Special Representative Tom Barak confirmed that he had received an official response from Beirut to American proposals for de-escalation. According to him, the document contains 15 points, and Washington is ready for an in-depth dialogue. The Kataib parliamentary party told Izvestia that Lebanon's response concerns a mechanism for reaching a truce and represents a step towards ending the conflict. Whether Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with Donald Trump at the White House will help put pressure on Hezbollah is in the Izvestia article.

Visit of the US Special Envoy to Lebanon

On July 7, American Special Representative Tom Barak has already received an official response from the Lebanese authorities to the American roadmap for de-escalation and disarmament, which has been discussed since November 2024.

Barak, after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Baabda, noted that he was pleased with the submitted document, which was a step towards a future deal. "It includes 15 points and is characterized by a balanced tone and prompt response to our proposals," Barak said. He also stressed that the United States does not dictate to Lebanon how to deal with Hezbollah. "This is an internal matter of Lebanon. Hezbollah is a political party with an armed wing, and it is up to Beirut to develop an approach to this issue. The United States is only helping and is ready to cooperate in building a plan for the future that promotes stability," Barak said.

The response of the Lebanese authorities concerns the technical details of reaching a truce. It should be a step towards ending the war and disarming all non-state formations in the country, Marwan Abdullah, head of the Kataib party's foreign relations department, told Izvestia.

Hezbollah is still issuing ultimatums. The Secretary General of the Shiite movement, Sheikh Naim Qassem, in a speech on the occasion of Ashura (the most important day in the calendar of Shiite Muslims. — Ed.) categorically rejected the demands for the unconditional surrender of weapons.

"Hezbollah's counter—proposal involves, in particular, the surrender of weapons by the movement, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the cessation of attacks by Israel and the release of hostages,— Lebanese sources familiar with the negotiations told Izvestia.

According to the Al-Akhbar newspaper, for the voluntary surrender of weapons, the movement must also receive guarantees to prevent a new war, as well as to begin rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure in southern Lebanon. In addition, the political future of Hezbollah is being discussed, including increasing the participation of the Shiite community in the executive branch by creating new constitutional posts or consolidating existing tacit agreements. Al-Akhbar writes that Hezbollah is generally open to any calm discussion "without provocation."

Meanwhile, the IDF continues to strike Lebanon, claiming that the targets are Hezbollah targets. The Jewish state accuses Beirut of "not doing enough to disarm" the movement. Israel demands guarantees that the fighters of the movement are indeed withdrawn beyond the Litani River line, as stipulated by the ceasefire agreement.

Netanyahu's trip to Washington

Meanwhile, expectations are growing in Israel amid Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump, though mainly on the situation in the Gaza Strip. Earlier, the head of the White House said that a ceasefire deal could be concluded in the coming days.

Jamal Wakim, a professor at the Lebanese University, believes that Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington concerns not only the Gaza Strip, but also Lebanon. In his opinion, the Israeli Prime Minister is trying to put pressure on the American administration: in exchange for concessions on Gaza, he may demand concessions on the Lebanese direction.

"The delay in the withdrawal of IDF forces from southern Lebanon will be a reason for Hezbollah and other resistance groups to keep their weapons, especially if the Lebanese Armed Forces army does not ensure the withdrawal of Israeli troops," the expert noted.

At the same time, according to the representative of Kataib, Hezbollah is no longer in a position where it can dictate conditions, it is allegedly a "losing force" that has relied on the pro-Iranian alliance, which, according to him, has actually been destroyed.

— Hezbollah has almost no leverage left. Any of her activities now is a struggle for her own survival. If it does not preserve itself, it will disappear not only as an armed formation, but also as a political force. Therefore, the movement will accept the conditions. Yes, there will be loud statements about the confrontation, but in reality this will not change the course of events. Eventually, the weapons will be transferred to the state," Marwan Abdullah said.

According to the terms of the truce of November 2024, the fighters of the Shiite movement were supposed to withdraw north from the Litani River — about 30 km from the border with Israel. He, in turn, pledged to withdraw his troops, but maintained a presence in five border areas that he considers strategically important. Hezbollah calls this a violation and therefore refuses to take further steps until the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Nevertheless, the Lebanese authorities say that the military infrastructure of the movement is already being gradually dismantled in the southern regions. However, the issue of transferring the entire arsenal to the State, including heavy weapons, is still open. Beirut remains caught between two fires — on the one hand, the insistent demands of the United States and the threats of Israel, on the other, the harsh rhetoric of the still influential Hezbollah.