US envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack stated that Israel will take steps concurrently with the disarmament of Hezbollah in Lebanon, noting that his country intends to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from the south. Barrack spoke at a press conference after meeting Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace east of Beirut. The US delegation arrived in Beirut on Monday evening to discuss the government’s decision to monopolize weapons and the Israeli withdrawal from five positions occupied during the recent war. Barrack said US President Donald Trump “wants to see Lebanon prosper and disarmament achieved,” questioning “Why is Hezbollah armed?” He added that on August 31, the government and army will present a plan, emphasizing that this is not about war but convincing Hezbollah to relinquish arms.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem reaffirmed in a televised speech that the party will not give up its weapons which protect it from Israel, describing the weapons as “our soul, land, dignity, and the future of our children.” Hezbollah has repeatedly insisted on keeping its arms as long as Israel occupies Lebanese lands and rejected the cabinet’s decision to monopolize weapons by the state, warning it could lead to civil war. On August 5, the Lebanese cabinet approved the decision to monopolize weapons by the state, including Hezbollah’s arms, assigning the army to prepare a plan by the end of the month and implement it by the end of 2025. Regarding relations with Damascus, Barrack said Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara has no interest in hostile relations with Lebanon but wants cooperation.

On reconstruction of Israeli-destroyed areas in southern Lebanon, Barrack said Gulf countries will contribute and that Israeli concerns over Hezbollah’s weapons will be removed, claiming the peace agreement with Israel is the path to prosperity and peace. He expressed hope because the Lebanese government has done something remarkable to disarm Hezbollah and that Washington will ensure Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Despite Israel occupying areas in southern Lebanon, Barrack claimed Israel says it does not want to occupy Lebanon. He noted Israel will take steps similar to Hezbollah disarmament steps without detailing them. The Lebanese government will present a disarmament plan, which Barrack believes will succeed. He explained the government promised to commit to Hezbollah disarmament and that there will be funding to compensate those who relinquish weapons. He stressed Washington does not want a civil war in Lebanon.

Israel launched an aggression on Lebanon on October 8, 2023, escalating into a wide war on September 23, 2024, resulting in over 4,000 deaths and about 17,000 injuries. A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel began on November 27, 2024, but Israel violated it over 3,000 times, causing 282 deaths and 604 injuries. In defiance of the ceasefire, the Israeli army partially withdrew from southern Lebanon but continues to occupy five hills seized during the recent war.