The Trump administration is intensifying diplomatic pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, while labeling Lebanon as a ‘failed state’ for its inaction. U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack, who also serves as the envoy to Syria, described Lebanon’s government as paralyzed and emphasized that Hezbollah continues to maintain a large military arsenal. According to Barrack, the group retains 40,000 fighters and between 15,000 to 20,000 rockets and missiles, a stark contrast to the $275 monthly salary of Lebanese Armed Forces soldiers, who are equipped with inferior weapons. The U.S. brokered a ceasefire in November 2024 between Hezbollah and Israel, with Lebanon’s government accepting an American plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025.
However, the Lebanese military has not been successful in dismantling Hezbollah’s operations, according to Israeli officials and experts. Security expert Sarit Zehavi from the Israel Alma Research and Education Center noted that the Lebanese army has not conducted house-to-house searches in south Lebanon for Hezbollah weapons, despite the group’s ongoing activities. Zehavi stressed that the Lebanese army needs to publish the results of its efforts, including the names of villages where weapons have been confiscated. A U.S. State Department official reiterated the importance of disarming Hezbollah, stating it is crucial for regional stability and peace. Additionally, the official highlighted that a stable Lebanon would present attractive investment opportunities.
Tensions have escalated with the Lebanese army condemning an Israeli attack in the border town of Blida, which killed a municipal worker, calling it a criminal act and a violation of the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military claimed it acted in self-defense after identifying an immediate threat during an operation against Hezbollah infrastructure. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun ordered his military to confront any Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon following the incident, marking a significant shift from the army’s historical non-involvement in major conflicts with Israel. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) also condemned the attack, stating it violated Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Despite these developments, UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel stated that no significant buildup of Hezbollah’s weapons had been detected in the region, though 360 weapon and ammunition caches had been found since November 27, 2025. Analyst Matthew Levitt explained that Hezbollah’s continued rebuilding of its capabilities is expected due to the group’s strategic planning and support from Iran. Meanwhile, Lebanese citizens are increasingly calling for diplomatic relations with Israel, hoping to prompt U.S. support to help disarm Hezbollah. The U.S. State Department has reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s decision to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing its role in ensuring the country’s safety and prosperity.