Growing resentment among parts of Lebanon’s Christian community is focusing attention on the unresolved issue of Hezbollah weapons in Lebanon, as political parties press the government to enforce its decision banning the group’s military activity.
The criticism follows a recent cabinet decision banning Hezbollah’s armed activity. Critics say the measure has not been implemented on the ground and has instead been followed by what they describe as limited or hesitant steps, including a military court ruling against three armed members of the group.
Christian Parties Press Government to Enforce Hezbollah Ban
Some Christians believe elements within the Lebanese state continue to avoid confronting Hezbollah directly. According to these views, the state either remains accommodating toward the group or reluctant to act decisively against it, creating what they see as a lack of clarity and firmness in official policy.
At the same time, the public anger in Christian communities appears to be moderated by the approach taken by major Christian political parties, particularly the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb Party, both of which are represented in the government.
These parties appear cautious about weakening the political authority of the state, even as they call for stronger action against Hezbollah.
Sources within the Lebanese Forces say the party is pressing the state to assume its responsibilities through political contacts with Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam.
“We want to give the army a chance to implement the cabinet’s decision,” the sources said. They added that the party had called from the outset for the government to adopt strict measures during cabinet meetings held on Aug. 5 and Aug. 7.
According to the same sources, ministers affiliated with the Lebanese Forces played a role in pushing the cabinet to adopt a decision banning Hezbollah’s military activities and declaring them illegal.
The sources said such decisions had removed what they described as Hezbollah’s remaining political legitimacy, but acknowledged that public resentment had grown because the decisions had not yet been implemented on the ground.
They added that the Lebanese Forces believe failure to enforce these measures risks keeping Lebanon trapped in what they describe as a dangerous militarized situation.
According to the sources, the actions taken so far by Lebanon’s military and security forces do not match the scale of the crisis created by Hezbollah’s actions, nor do they bring an end to the ongoing war with Israel.
They also said Israeli authorities are no longer responding to calls from Lebanese officials for negotiations, even indirect ones. The sources added that the United States had given the Lebanese government a year and a half to address the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons, but considered the results insufficient.
Lebanese Forces sources said the rapid pace of recent developments had overtaken the Lebanese state, leading Israel to launch a war that they say aims to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities directly.
They added that the party intends to continue pressing for stronger government decisions and for their more decisive implementation, and may also apply pressure on all three branches of the state — political, military, and judicial — particularly the judiciary.
The sources also criticized the military court’s handling of recent cases.
Lebanese Forces officials also expressed concern about Hezbollah’s actions in southern Lebanon, particularly in Christian towns and villages. They cited events in Qlaiaa and the killing of Father Pierre al-Ra'i, which they described as a crime against Christians.
They also referred to the displacement of approximately half a million Lebanese from their communities, which they attributed to Hezbollah’s actions following Israel’s assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
According to the sources, Hezbollah has effectively become integrated into the structure of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Despite their criticism, Lebanese Forces officials have avoided direct public attacks on Rudolph Haykal, commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Party sources said they may have questions about some of his positions or actions, but prefer to address such concerns through institutional channels — particularly within cabinet discussions — rather than through public statements.
Kataeb Calls for Greater Military Firmness
For its part, the Kataeb Party says it has urged the government since the first day of its decision to restrict weapons to move more quickly to dismantle Hezbollah’s military and security structure across Lebanon. Party sources said that, in their view, the required level of firmness has not yet been achieved.
According to Kataeb sources, the Lebanese army is currently making what they described as commendable efforts, including dismantling more than 100 tunnels south of the Litani River.
However, they said greater determination is still needed.
The sources added that the recent war had complicated the army’s efforts, but insisted that the military must assume full responsibility for maintaining security across all regions. This would allow it to carry out raids, arrest militants, and prevent armed activity.
They also called on the army leadership to take a more decisive approach in areas affected by displacement and repeated clashes, while ensuring the safety of villages in southern Lebanon.
Kataeb officials said Hezbollah’s military activity in those areas must be prevented in order to avoid giving Israel what they described as pretexts for further attacks on Lebanese villages.
According to the party’s sources, the Lebanese armed forces operate under political authority as defined by the constitution, and the current government decision regarding weapons is clear. They said nothing should prevent the army from implementing that decision fully.
The sources added that any concerns regarding the performance of the army commander are discussed directly between Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel and General Haykal through ongoing direct communication, as well as through contacts with the president.
A Sensitive Period for Lebanon
Lebanon is currently passing through what political parties describe as an extremely sensitive period.
According to the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb Party, the Israeli war against Hezbollah — which they say is backed by the United States — will continue until the group’s military status in Lebanon is dismantled.
Both parties believe that even if the Lebanese army’s steps appear cautious, the process of Hezbollah’s disarmament has already begun and will continue.
They note that Israel has repeatedly declared this objective publicly and say Hezbollah is fully aware of it.
For the Christian parties, the government’s sovereign decisions on Hezbollah’s weapons represent a political gain that separates the Lebanese state and public opinion from what they describe as Hezbollah’s military confrontation, which they say is linked to the policies of the Iranian regime.
