Challenges of Disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon Post-Truce

Disarming Hezbollah remains a significant challenge for the incoming Trump administration, with experts warning that political divisions within Lebanon and the group’s deep entrenchment make rapid progress unlikely.

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, efforts to disarm the resistance in Lebanon are unlikely to be easy for President-elect Donald Trump, citing the complex political landscape and Hezbollah’s influence as major obstacles.

The Jordanian news outlet jordannews.jo reported that Hezbollah disarmament will need to be pursued through political or military means following the truce, indicating that any resolution will require careful negotiation or potential confrontation.

Political Challenges Hinder Disarmament Efforts

Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker described the year-end deadline for disarming Hezbollah as “quite unrealistic,” suggesting that Washington may grant more time if the Lebanese Armed Forces show tangible progress. He emphasized that the U.S. Might react with flexibility if Lebanon demonstrates measurable steps toward disarmament.

Security and Verification Concerns

Abbas Dahouk, a former senior military adviser for Middle East affairs at the U.S. State Department, stated that the challenge is political, not military, explaining that the Lebanese state lacks firm cross-sectarian support and a clear mandate for the army to confront Hezbollah, making large-scale forcible disarmament too risky and potentially destabilizing.