Lebanese Citizens Question Army's Ability to Disarm Hezbollah Amid Israel-Lebanon Talks

As Israel and Lebanon conduct their sixth round of direct negotiations in Rome, significant skepticism arises within Lebanon regarding the Lebanese army's capacity to fulfill a key negotiation goal: taking full security control over two pilot zones in southern Lebanon and disarming Hezbollah. The proposed agreement would transfer authority from the Israel Defense Forces to the Lebanese army, which is expected to dismantle Hezbollah's weapons.

However, Lebanese citizens opposing Hezbollah express doubts about the army's effectiveness, citing sectarian divisions within its ranks. One Lebanese opponent told Channel 14 that peace between Israel and Lebanon is an urgent mutual need but argued that the Lebanese army cannot disarm Hezbollah due to its sectarian composition and ties to the Shia community, which Hezbollah represents. He suggested that only war or a foreign military force could successfully disarm the group.

Meanwhile, public discourse in Lebanon about a peace agreement with Israel is becoming more open, including some support from a Shia minority. In a recent televised debate on MTV Lebanon, Shia professor Ali Khalifa, a Hezbollah critic, sparked controversy by stating he would gladly drink whiskey in Tel Aviv if a peace deal were signed. His remarks provoked strong backlash from other participants, highlighting deep divisions in Lebanon over normalization with Israel.

These internal Lebanese debates unfold alongside ongoing behind-the-scenes political and security talks between Jerusalem and Beirut. The discussions focus on sensitive issues such as security arrangements and Hezbollah's disarmament, reflecting the complex challenges facing any potential peace agreement.