Hezbollah Begins Disarmament Process Under New Lebanon Agreement

February 17, 2026

Hezbollah has started handing over a portion of its heavy weapons to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in the first phase of a landmark disarmament agreement signed last month in Beirut, marking the most significant step toward reducing the group's military power since the 2006 war with Israel. The handover, verified by UNIFIL observers and international monitors, includes Grad rockets, anti-tank guided missiles, and several dozen heavy mortars from southern Lebanon positions.

The agreement, brokered by the United States, France, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, requires Hezbollah to transfer all non-defensive weaponry south of the Litani River to the LAF within 90 days, with full disarmament of the group's independent arsenal to be completed by the end of 2027. In exchange, Hezbollah will receive security guarantees, political representation in a national unity government, and economic reconstruction aid for Shia-majority areas heavily damaged in recent conflicts.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem announced the initial handover in a televised address on Saturday, describing it as “a strategic decision in the national interest” while insisting the group retains the right to self-defense. “We are not surrendering our resistance, but we recognize the need to rebuild the state and unify national defense under one authority,” Qassem said. He emphasized that the process would be “gradual, verifiable, and reciprocal,” tied to Israeli withdrawal from disputed border areas and cessation of overflights.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the move as “a historic turning point toward state sovereignty and monopoly on legitimate violence.” The LAF has already deployed additional units south of the Litani River to receive and secure the transferred weapons, with UNIFIL increasing patrols along the Blue Line.

International Reactions

The United States praised the agreement as “a critical step toward stability in Lebanon and the broader region,” with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Washington would continue sanctions relief tied to verifiable disarmament progress. France and the European Union offered €1.2 billion in reconstruction aid contingent on continued compliance.

Israel expressed cautious optimism but maintained that “complete and verifiable disarmament, including precision-guided missiles and underground infrastructure, remains essential.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would not hesitate to act if Hezbollah retains offensive capabilities.

Iran, Hezbollah's primary backer, issued a restrained statement through Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying Tehran “respects Lebanon's national decisions” while warning against any attempt to “eliminate the resistance axis.” Qatar and Saudi Arabia, key mediators, described the deal as a model for de-escalation in the region.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the handover “an encouraging first step” and urged all parties to maintain momentum toward full implementation. UNIFIL commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro increased observer presence in southern villages to monitor compliance.

Challenges Ahead

Analysts note several potential obstacles:

• Hezbollah's insistence on retaining defensive weapons and the right to “resist occupation”
• Verification of hidden stockpiles and underground tunnel networks
• Coordination between LAF and Hezbollah units during the handover
• Israeli demands for parallel demilitarization of southern Lebanon
• Domestic political opposition from some Lebanese factions wary of Hezbollah's continued influence

The initial handover covers an estimated 15–20 percent of Hezbollah's heavy weapons inventory south of the Litani. Phase two, involving medium-range rockets and precision-guided munitions, is scheduled to begin in May 2026.

The disarmament process is seen as a test of Lebanon's fragile post-conflict governance and the willingness of regional powers to support a political settlement. If successful, it could pave the way for broader stabilization, economic recovery, and eventual normalization talks with Israel. Failure risks renewed escalation and further weakening of the Lebanese state. Monitoring teams from the UN, U.S., France, and Arab League partners will issue weekly compliance reports throughout the process.