Hezbollah and Amal call Wednesday rally against disarmament decision

Key Points

• Hezbollah and Amal have called a rally in Beirut against government disarmament plans.
• Sheikh Naim Qassem will deliver a speech Monday to set Hezbollah’s position.
• Netanyahu welcomed Lebanon’s decision, suggesting Israel could withdraw troops from southern Lebanon.
• Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue despite a ceasefire, with troops holding five strategic hills.
• The decision to disarm Hezbollah could reshape Lebanon’s political and security landscape.

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The workers’ departments of Hezbollah and its ally Amal have urged supporters to gather for a mass rally on Wednesday in Riad al-Solh Square, Beirut, to protest the government’s decision to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. The move comes amid mounting pressure, both within Lebanon and from the international community, for the group to surrender its arsenal—an issue that has long divided Lebanese politics.

Hezbollah’s Response and Upcoming Speech

Hezbollah, which has consistently rejected calls to hand over its weapons, views the cabinet’s decision as a direct challenge to its role in Lebanese security and regional resistance. The party’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, is scheduled to address supporters at 4 p.m. on Monday, where he is expected to outline Hezbollah’s stance on the disarmament timetable and the group’s broader political strategy.

For decades, Hezbollah has maintained its military wing alongside Lebanon’s national army, justifying its arsenal as essential for defending the country against Israel. Critics, however, argue that the group’s weapons undermine state sovereignty and drag Lebanon into regional conflicts.

Israeli Reaction to Lebanon’s Cabinet Decision

The Lebanese government’s announcement has also drawn swift responses from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the cabinet’s vote as a “momentous decision” and said that Israeli forces could begin withdrawing from parts of southern Lebanon once Hezbollah is fully disarmed.

Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in late November, Israeli forces continue to carry out near-daily airstrikes on Lebanese territory. They also remain entrenched on five strategic hills in the south, positions Israel considers vital to its security.

What This Means for Lebanon

The government’s push to disarm Hezbollah by year’s end represents one of the boldest political decisions in recent years. Supporters of the plan argue it is a step toward strengthening state authority and reducing the risk of further conflict with Israel. Opponents, however, warn that attempting to forcibly strip Hezbollah of its arsenal could destabilize Lebanon’s fragile political balance.

The protest planned in Beirut underscores how contentious the issue has become. With Hezbollah mobilizing against the government’s decision and Israel signaling possible troop withdrawals if the plan is enforced, Lebanon now stands at a critical crossroads between national sovereignty, internal stability, and regional security.