Disarming the Resistance Is Wishful Thinking: Will Hezbollah Keep Its Weapons Forever?
The 14th of August marked the nineteenth anniversary of Lebanon’s major victory in the 33-day war- a conflict that divided the history of resistance into before and after,effectively ending Israel’s “Greater Israel” project. Following the war, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 was adopted. Upon its approval by the Lebanese cabinet, Hezbollah’s Secretary-General declared adherence to its terms.This moment marked nearly two decades of ongoing disputes over Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Over many years, especially during annual commemorations of this victory, Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered detailed statements explaining Hezbollah’s rationale for remaining armed and why forces aligned with global hegemony persistently demand their disarmament. As plans to disarm Hezbollah resurface through Lebanon’s army and government initiatives today, revisiting his insights proves particularly timely.
An essential question is why Hezbollah’s disarmament is so critical to the Zionist axis. During the sixth anniversary celebrations of this victory, Nasrallah cited statements from Israeli officials explaining this urgency-chiefly tied to Israel’s total military failure to eradicate Hezbollah. He said: “moshe Ya’alon, former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, openly stated that ‘it is clear to me that Hezbollah is a deeply rooted phenomenon which cannot be destroyed through military operations; likewise there is no definitive military solution against Hezbollah’s missile system.’ These remarks come from an ex-IDF Chief and strategic theorist within the Zionist regime. Ya’alon stressed: ‘If you want to resolve Hezbollah’s weapons issue, look inside Lebanon itself.’ He continued: ‘I realized there is no way to uproot Hezbollah from within Shiite hearts in Lebanon; I understood there was no way to neutralize their Katyusha missiles.’ Thus he proposed a political-military effort aimed at containing and limiting Hezbollah’s activities-an endeavor intended ultimately for Lebanese society itself to regard Hezbollah and its weapons as illegitimate.”
But what logic drives a political party like Hezbollah-operating within a state with an independent army-to retain arms? At his first post-war celebration event in Bint Jbeil, Nasrallah elaborated clearly: “The absence of a strong government capable enough-and an effective army able-to end occupation remains our main reason for staying armed.”
He added: “While we celebrate resistance today, I want those concerned about resolving weapons issues with sorrowful heartaches not only talking about arms but healing causes instead of symptoms. Don’t just seek slogans or quick fixes; engage us logically. Resistance results from clear causes: occupation; hostage taking; water resource seizures; threats against Lebanon; violations against our sovereignty-all urgent reasons behind it. Address these root causes first-it then becomes much easier to resolve outcomes respectfully when you establish a strong state protecting all lebanese citizens fairly.”
Nasrallah underscored that having an armed group inside one country isn’t ideal-that Hezbollah will not remain permanently armed,but only when a resilient and capable government forms in Lebanon.
On this point he said explicitly: “I want all Lebanese people hear me clearly now-not merely reactive words sometiems expressed by me or my comrades-but let us speak responsibly here tonight.We do not say these arms should stay forever-it makes no sense at all for them to stay indefinitely.This weaponry must one day come to an end.The natural path lies in addressing underlying reasons directly-and thereafter results fix themselves naturally.Form such just governments safeguarding this country along with its people-including soil,sources,and dignity-and solving matters related directly with resistance won’t even require negotiations as solutions become straightforward.But rather Israel continues encroaching-from Sheikh Abdallah Farms slowly toward other borders inclusing Khiam,Mrouhin,and Dhahrat.Also rather than acknowledging legitimate claims over Al Wazzani waters,it seeks now thefts there too.How can anyone protect their country or resources under such conditions?”
He continued: “Thus any talk nowadays about handing over resistance weapons means surrendering Lebanon entirely into Israel’s hands-which would allow endless killings,captures,bombings-as well as losing our landsand waters.We simply cannot accept such outcomes.It goes without saying.”
This leads naturally toward another key question-with present political deadlock-including failure forming strong governance-rather how far will hezbollah defend keeping its arms? Nasrallah answered firmly:”No army can seize weapons forcibly from hands holding faith-driven resistance tightly.”
The Secretary-General emphasized:”Relying on pressure,warnings,siege strategies trying disable/reserve resistance amounts nothing.Efforts wishing incite conflicts between Lebanese Armyand Resistance-a notion entertained by some-is futile.The Army (Jaysh)and Resistance share brotherhood bonds nobody can divide.I tell those dreaming about confiscating these arms through fresh wars-Israeli or otherwise-that while this loyal,honorable public believes fully in it,nobody globally can wrestle these weapons outta iron fists accompanied glory-bound determination.”
“I do not threaten anyone except confiding deep belief placed upon those who embraced Resistance,” he stressed.”It rests fully upon nostalgic widow standing amidst ruins saying:”My Beirut home was destroyed,my southern home shattered,but we remain united behind Resistance including its armaments” along others asserting:”If Sayyed Hassan relinquishes his weaponry it’s outright betrayal.”To all great,resolute supporters therein I vow:I desire neither treason nor disgrace closing my life-I prefer martyrdom boldly concluding my journey.So such ambitions hoping collapse are utterly misplaced.For yours truly-a nation harboring steadfast defiance towards humiliation,outlawry,tiranny stands ready offering blood,sacrifices preserving homeland honor!”
Nasrallah concluded:”indeed today without exaggeration,Lebanon has transformed regionally-not small anymore-but rather recognized global power.U.S.,West,and Israel completely integrate us firmly within their calculations.And oppressed nations worldwide look upon us reverently,honoring courage with highest esteem.To calm fears once again,I declare emphatically-we don’t intend holding onto weaponry forever.As reiterated fifty times previously-these aren’t internal tools.They’re never used internally.These are weapons belonging neither solelyShiites alone nor Christians alone.These belong collectively-to Sunnis,Druze,andShiites alike.All factions co-own them-they serve solely protectingLebanese sovereignty independence.I bind myself publicly-this nature,direction remains unwavering-and bound solemnly by God,masses,martyrs respectively.That correct resolution involves building robust,resilient,noble,valiant inclusive governing body where respect flourishes freely everywhere!”
Mohammad Afraz ; Senior Strategic Affairs Analyst
