Rabat – Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has announced a ban on Hezbollah’s military activities, declaring them “illegal acts” and demanding that the group hand over its weapons to the state.
Salam said in a statement that the government “absolutely rejects any military actions launched from Lebanese territory outside the framework of legitimate institutions.” He added that Hezbollah’s role must be limited to the political sphere and called on the country’s military institutions to enforce the decision.
The move comes as tensions sharply escalate between Lebanon and Israel. The Israeli army said it has mobilized around 100,000 reservists and is ready for “all possibilities.” Military spokesperson Effie Defrin said “all options are on the table,” including a possible ground invasion of Lebanon.
Israeli air strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 31 people and wounded 149 others, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The attacks targeted Beirut and towns in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah said it launched rockets and drones at a military base near Haifa in northern Israel.
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Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Naim Qassem is now a “target for elimination.” Qassem took over the leadership of the group after his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, was assassinated by Israel on September 27.
Hezbollah said its latest attack was in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, following strikes launched by Israel and the United States on Iran over the weekend. The rocket fire effectively broke a ceasefire that had been in place between Israel and Hezbollah since November 2024. While Israel continued to strike Hezbollah targets during the ceasefire period, Hezbollah had previously said it remained committed to the truce.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that Hezbollah’s actions undermine government efforts to keep Lebanon away from wider regional conflict. At the same time, he condemned what he described as “Israeli aggression” against Lebanese territory.
Iran also condemned the Israeli air strikes. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attacks as “brutal” and criticized what he called the “shameful” silence of the international community.
Meanwhile, videos from the southern Lebanese town of al-Abbassieh showed families fleeing their homes at dawn due to the escalating violence.
