US lawmakers urge Lebanon to forcefully disarm Hezbollah, warning of Israeli war

Members of the US Congress have urged Lebanon’s leaders to quickly disarm Hezbollah – even if this had to be done by force – or risk facing another Israeli war.

Dated 3 December and signed by eight congressmembers, including Republicans and Democrats, a purported copy of the letter was widely shared online on Friday and reported by Lebanese media outlets. The New Arab could not verify its authenticity.

It comes as part of increased US pressure on Beirut to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after last year’s devastating war with Israel and a US-brokered ceasefire.

Lebanon has repeatedly pledged to carry out its commitments to disarm all militant groups, inclduing Hezbollah, and extend state sovereignty over the whole country.

The Lebanese army says its government-approved plan to dismantle Hezbollah’s militant infrastructure is ongoing south of the Litani River, close to the Israeli border, and should conclude by year-end before moving to other regions.

But Israel has accused Lebanon of dragging its feet and not confiscating Hezbollah’s weapons fast enough, threatening to renew its offensive on the country.

Hezbollah, which emerged greatly weakened from the war, has rejected disarmament calls, citing continued Israeli strikes and the occupation of Lebanese territory in violation of the ceasefire.

"We write to you with a critical message: disarm Hezbollah now, including by force if necessary," the letter addressed to President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says.

Recipients also included the new US ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa, and Lebanese army commander Rodolphe Haykal, who scrapped his visit to the US last month over tensions regarding Hezbollah's disarmament.

The congressmembers say that despite a year passing since the 27 November 2024 ceasefire, "empty promises and partial measures that fall far short of disarming the group are clearly not enough."

It echoes unverified Israeli claims that Hezbollah is rearming in the south and warns that a failure to act could push Lebanon to a renewed war.

"As you work to implement your reform agenda and stabilise Lebanon’s economy, a prosperous Lebanon cannot coexist with an armed Hezbollah, nor can it thrive while its national army is sidelined by a militia acting as a state within a state," the letter reads.

The US will find it hard to continue justifying its support for the Lebanese government if Hezbollah, as the lawmakers claim, continues to pose a threat to Israel, reiterating calls to stop the group from attempting to rebuild its capabilities.

"You and your entire government have the opportunity to prevent it and to lead Lebanon toward the lasting stability and peace that will finally allow Lebanon to prosper free from war and free from Iran’s shadow.

"Seize this moment and disarm Hezbollah now," the letter concludes.

Like Hezbollah, its main backer Iran has criticised Lebanon’s push to disarm the group.

General Haykal has said he will not let his soldiers clash with southern residents, where Hezbollah holds significant influence.

Lebanese and foreign officials have warned that any attempts by the Lebanese government to forcefully disarm Hezbollah could lead to civil strife.

US envoy Tom Barrack, who made several visits to Beirut this year as part of mediated negotiations with Tel Aviv, has said Lebanon cannot forcefully take away the arms of a large segment of its population, citing civil war fears.

The US remains the Lebanese army’s biggest donor, but there have been calls in Washington to reconsider this support, citing accusations that the military was not fully implementing the ceasefire agreement.

On Friday, the Pentagon said that the US State Department has approved the potential sale of M1085A2 and M1078A2 Medium Tactical Vehicles and related equipment to Lebanon for an estimated cost of $90.5 million.

The letter was released the same day Lebanon and Israel sent diplomats to participate in talks for the first time since 1983, something Washington has been pushing for months.

On Wednesday, civilian representatives from Lebanon and Israel joined the meetings of a committee tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, a move Aoun has said was to avoid a second war on Lebanon.

The committee will hold a new round of talks, with the civilian representatives included, starting 19 December.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Friday backed Lebanon's pursuit of diplomacy but called the inclusion of a civilian representative in talks with Israel a "misstep".

Israeli pressure on Lebanon through repeated strikes is expected to continue and possibly escalate despite the talks.