Beirut: The Lebanese government has declared Hezbollah's 'military activities' illegal, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Monday. The Cabinet decided to 'outlaw all of Hezbollah's security and military activities,' Salam stated in a televised address.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Shiite militant and political organization holds significant influence in Lebanon, including parliamentary representation and providing social services. Hezbollah also uses Lebanon as a base for launching attacks against Israel, often with Iranian support.
Monday's decision comes in the wake of renewed military clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. Following the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday during a joint US-Israeli attack, Hezbollah retaliated by firing several rockets at Israel overnight. This attack prompted retaliatory strikes by Israel, resulting in at least 31 deaths in Lebanon. The Israeli military targeted several areas, including the suburbs of Beirut.
Hezbollah is regarded as Iran's most significant non-state ally and is often considered Tehran's extended arm in its conflict with Israel. In solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel as early as October 2023. This led to months of mutual shelling, culminating in open conflict in late 2024.
Hezbollah's strength has diminished since then. As part of a ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah was to disarm. The Lebanese government has been under pressure to enforce this disarmament. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon almost daily.
This marks the first time since the ceasefire began in November 2024 that Hezbollah has attacked Israel with rockets. Hezbollah has been tolerated by segments of the Lebanese population as a resistance group against Israel. For many Shiites, it is seen as a protective force and was the only group that retained its weapons after the Lebanese civil war.
Concerning the recent Hezbollah shelling of Israel, Prime Minister Salam stressed that rocket attacks from Lebanese territory violate ceasefire agreements and government decisions. 'The state firmly rejects any military action originating from its territory,' he said, asserting that decisions regarding 'war and peace' rest solely with the state.
Local authorities reported that dozens were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, with the Lebanese Health Ministry confirming at least 31 deaths and 149 injuries from preliminary accounts in Beirut's southern suburbs and southern regions. The ministry warned that the death toll might rise as rescue teams continue their search and hospitals assess the injured.