��������

An unusual incident took place recently between the Israeli army and UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. UNIFIL shot down an IDF drone, saying that it displayed aggressive behavior. This followed Israel’s stepping up of targeted strikes in Lebanon in an effort to increase military and political pressure on the country, the main goal being the disarmament of Hezbollah. Following the last intense round of strikes, which decapitated the Iranian proxy, Hezbollah’s disarmament was highlighted when hostilities stopped in November 2024, and Israel is now losing patience.

At the time, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, clearly stated that the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in its entirety, without any amendments, was a priority. As a reminder, the 1701 resolution is what ended the 2006 war. So, in short, we have a double-dipping resolution to stop the war, but Hezbollah is still armed. Moreover, despite the plans from the Lebanese government, and US diplomats from Tom Barrack to Morgan Ortagus mixing carrot and stick, the Lebanese government and armed forces are still unable to disarm the Iranian proxy. The Palestinian factions were disarmed — the first step — but then everything stopped.

There has been substantial international support for the Lebanese Army to accomplish this. In October 2025, the US approved a $230 million aid package for Lebanon’s security forces, which included $190 million for the Lebanese Armed Forces and $40 million for the Internal Security Forces. Moreover, the Pentagon approved in September another $14.2 million in explosives and demining equipment to help the army “reduce Hezbollah’s capabilities.” Qatar pledged $60 million and 162 military vehicles to support stability and border control, while France committed €100 million ($116 million), Germany €95 million, and the UK at least £15 million ($20 million) to strengthen Lebanon’s military capabilities. Also, Lebanon has requested the reactivation of a $3 billion aid package from ��������, previously halted in 2016.

This should be a national priority.

Khaled Abou Zahr

Despite this support, it is still unclear whether the army and the new leadership in Lebanon will move forward with the plan. Yet, what is clear is that there is little chance of Lebanon exiting the crisis if it does not. I have been quite surprised by most of the intellectuals and influential voices in Lebanon, who, while they condemn Israeli strikes, have not once stood for the sovereignty of the country and demanded that Hezbollah disarm. They have all stood silent on this.

While the reality is that this is the main cause of instability for Lebanon, most of the people I present with this argument answer by telling me that even if Hezbollah disarms, the Israelis will continue finding reasons to strike Lebanon. I disagree, but regardless of my opinion, this has to do with the sovereignty of the country and the need for the state to have a monopoly on weapons. It is a question of not having a group or party capable of threatening the entire nation and its citizens. And so most are stuck in a complete schizophrenia where they chant for the army, but not once demand that Hezbollah disarm. This should be a national priority regardless of Israel. Hezbollah has weakened our institutions enough. It is time to stop that.

We are hence faced with two possibilities. The first is that there is no political will to disarm. A candid explanation — there is a more cynical one — would be the fear of pushing the country into another civil war. And the second is that the army does not currently have the capacity to disarm Hezbollah. In both scenarios, there is still something it can do, and it should at least rally the people to this plan. Moreover, any politician or political formation that pushes for the status quo or keeping things the same needs to be confronted. Lebanon lost a golden opportunity in 2005; it cannot lose it again today. We have been stuck for too long in a cycle of destruction, and this cannot continue. It is nevertheless worth mentioning that the LAF has been the recipient of US military aid of anywhere between $100 million and $200 million since 2006, which puts it at a total of $3.2 billion. Now, in the past, the political will was not there. Let us hope this has changed today.

I believe we all know which scenario Israel believes is happening today. On the other hand, President Joseph Aoun has recently highlighted to the US that the army has been abiding by the agreement of disarmament south of the Litani River as it clears areas under its control, uncovers tunnels, and seizes weapons and ammunition despite the challenging geography. Will this be enough to make the Israelis more patient? It is doubtful. Israel will strike any Hezbollah target that could one day threaten its security. Nothing will stop that, not even UNIFIL trying to take down Israeli drones.

Ultimately, it is about moving forward, and there is no doubt that there is sufficient Arab and international support to do so. The Lebanese political establishment needs to stand united for the sovereignty of the country before anything else. This is what will change the country’s path and open it to stability and prosperity. It is time for a bold and strong move, as the grace period the country has enjoyed is about to end.

• Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi