Lebanon’s Prime Minister Bans Hezbollah Military Activities Amidst Escalating Tensions
Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced a ban on all military activities undertaken by Hezbollah on Monday, March 2, 2026, following retaliatory attacks launched by the Iran-backed group against Israel. The move comes after Israel responded to Hezbollah’s rocket and drone attacks with air raids on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Hezbollah’s Actions and Israel’s Response
Hezbollah stated its attack on a military missile defense facility near Haifa was in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and was framed as a defense of Lebanon and its people, as well as a response to repeated Israeli aggressions. Israel responded by bombing Beirut’s suburbs and southern Lebanon, resulting in over 30 deaths and 149 injuries, according to the state-run National News Agency .
Prime Minister Salam’s Declaration
“We announce a ban on Hezbollah’s military activities and restrict its role to the political sphere,” Prime Minister Salam stated in a public address. He further declared that all Hezbollah military activities are “illegal” and instructed Lebanese security forces to prevent any attacks originating from Lebanese territory. Salam similarly expressed a commitment to the cessation of hostilities and a resumption of negotiations .
Background on Hezbollah and Disarmament Efforts
Hezbollah, which operates independently from the Lebanese government, has faced pressure from the United States and Israel to disarm. Lebanese authorities had previously agreed to a plan to disarm the group, but Hezbollah dismissed it as a US-Israeli ploy and refused to surrender its weapons north of the Litani River. The group maintains that a ceasefire signed in November 2024 applied only to disarmament south of the Litani River.
In January 2026, the Lebanese government announced the completion of the first phase of a five-stage plan to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenals in the south, covering the area between the Litani River and the southern border with Israel. The second phase, concerning the area between the Litani and Awali rivers, was expected to take at least four months to complete.
Escalating Crisis and Regional Implications
The escalation between Israel and Hezbollah threatens to deepen the existing crisis in Lebanon, which has been grappling with economic and political instability for years. Prime Minister Salam characterized the Hezbollah attack as “an irresponsible and suspicious act that jeopardizes Lebanon’s security and safety and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its aggression.”
The Israeli army has ordered residents to evacuate 18 villages and towns, alleging they were being used by Hezbollah. The US embassy in Beirut has urged American citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and advised those already present to depart immediately, citing a volatile and unpredictable security situation .
Nawaf Salam’s Background
Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam has served as the 53rd Prime Minister of Lebanon since February 8, 2025. Prior to this, he served as President of the International Court of Justice from February 6, 2024, to January 14, 2025 and as a Judge of the International Court of Justice from February 6, 2018, to January 14, 2025 . He also held the position of Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations from 2007 to 2017 .