Israel Welcomes Lebanon’s Plan to Disarm Hezbollah by 2025, Calls It Key to Sovereignty

Describing it as a significant step toward Lebanese sovereignty, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office has issued a statement acknowledging Lebanon’s recent government decision to pursue the disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of 2025. The statement comes in the wake of Lebanon’s Council of Ministers approving a US plan to ensure that the possession of weapons is restricted solely to the state with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announcing the army would develop and implement the plan by the end of this year.
 
 
The Israeli statement commended the Lebanese government’s initiative under President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, characterizing the decision as a crucial opportunity for Lebanon to reclaim sovereignty and restore state institutional authority free from non-state actors. Israel expressed readiness to support Lebanon’s disarmament efforts and pledged to engage in reciprocal measures, including phased reduction of Israel Defence Forces presence coordinated through US-led security mechanisms, contingent on Lebanese Armed Forces implementing Hezbollah’s disarmament.
 
 
The Lebanese government’s decision follows months of US pressure after Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon resulted in significant casualties. The Israeli statement emphasized that both nations should move forward cooperatively toward the shared objective of Hezbollah disarmament to promote regional stability and prosperity, though implementation remains uncertain given Hezbollah’s strong opposition to surrendering its military capabilities.