BEIRUT (Dispatches) -- 
Hezbollah’s recent firm stance on retaining its weapons highlights the movement’s vital role in defending Lebanon’s sovereignty amid ongoing threats from Israel. 
Secretary-General Naim Qassem has reiterated that Hezbollah will maintain its arsenal as long as Israeli occupation persists on Lebanese land, emphasizing the group’s commitment to protecting the nation.
Despite intense pressure from the U.S. and certain Arab states to enforce a state monopoly on arms, the Lebanese government recently tasked the army with drafting a plan to achieve disarmament by year-end. 
This move challenges a movement that has long been a cornerstone of Lebanon’s resistance, especially following the recent war with Israel, which claimed the lives of Hezbollah’s historic leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and much of its senior military leadership.
Since the war’s end in November, Hezbollah has stressed the necessity of its weapons to continue resisting Israeli occupation in five remaining areas and to deter persistent Israeli airspace violations, drone strikes, and potential future attacks. The group’s unwavering commitment reflects its foundational role in Lebanon’s defense, especially against Israeli aggression.
Hezbollah’s history of resisting disarmament is rooted in Lebanon’s turbulent past. In 1986, the Tripartite Agreement, aimed at disarming militias during Lebanon’s civil war, was met with strong opposition from Hezbollah. Nasrallah declared that Hezbollah would never relinquish its arms, viewing resistance as essential to liberating Jerusalem and protecting Lebanese sovereignty.
In 1988, Hezbollah faced violent opposition from the Amal Movement, backed by Syria, which sought to monopolize arms in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah refused to yield, and after years of clashes, a mediated agreement allowed the group to retain its weapons to fight Israeli occupation.
The 1989 Taif Accord, which ended Lebanon’s civil war and called for militia disarmament, was also rejected by Hezbollah. Supported by Iran and Syria, Hezbollah preserved its arsenal as a necessary tool against Israel, distinguishing itself from other factions that disarmed.
Even during the 2008 political crisis, Hezbollah stood firm against attempts to dismantle its communications network and disarm it, responding decisively to protect Lebanon’s resistance capabilities.
Hezbollah remains a critical force in Lebanon’s defense, symbolizing steadfast resistance against foreign occupation and external threats. Its insistence on maintaining arms underscores its commitment to protecting Lebanese sovereignty and regional stability.