Qatari Emir Condemns Israeli Strikes in Lebanon Amid Ceasefire Tensions

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, sharply criticized Israel on Monday for continuing its military campaign in Lebanon despite a declared ceasefire with Hezbollah. Speaking at an emergency Arab-Islamic summit convened in response to Israel’s unprecedented airstrike on Hamas officials in Doha, Sheikh Tamim accused Israel of deliberately destabilizing Lebanon.

“In Lebanon, the Lebanese government’s acceptance of a U.S. paper is being met with bombardment and assassinations, and Israel is seeking to push it into civil war in order for it to halt its attacks on it,” the Emir said, highlighting concerns that Tel Aviv’s actions could drag Lebanon deeper into political and sectarian turmoil.

Lebanon Pressured to Disarm Hezbollah

The Lebanese government, facing mounting U.S. pressure and worried about further escalation of Israeli strikes, has begun moving toward a controversial plan to disarm Hezbollah. Once considered the most powerful force in Lebanese politics and militarily stronger than the national army, Hezbollah has been severely weakened by the recent conflict with Israel.

Officials in Beirut have confirmed that the Lebanese Army has been tasked with overseeing the disarmament process. According to government directives, the military must dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal in areas closest to the Israeli border within the next three months. Afterward, the plan would extend to other regions of the country in phases.

Hezbollah’s Resistance to Disarmament

Unsurprisingly, Hezbollah has pushed back strongly against the initiative. The group insists that no disarmament should occur until Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory, halts its cross-border operations, and a comprehensive national security strategy is agreed upon. Party leaders argue that premature disarmament would leave Lebanon vulnerable to further Israeli aggression and strip the country of its only real deterrent force.

This standoff reflects a broader struggle over Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability. While Western powers, particularly the United States, see Hezbollah’s disarmament as crucial to reducing tensions, many within Lebanon view it as a dangerous gamble that could embolden Israel and weaken the country’s defenses.