U.S. Presses Lebanese Government to Issue Cabinet Motion to Disarm Hezbollah

FDD | July 30, 2025

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Latest Developments

• U.S. Message to Lebanon: The United States is reportedly increasing pressure on the Lebanese government to issue a cabinet decision demanding the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization. Without this commitment, Washington will no longer dispatch U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack to oversee negotiations with Beirut’s government or put pressure on Israel to halt military operations and withdraw from southern Lebanon. “The U.S. is saying there’s no more Barrack, no more papers back and forth — the council of ministers should [make] a decision and then we can keep discussing. They cannot wait any longer,” a Lebanese source told Reuters.

• Barrack Urges Motion: Barrack stated on July 27 that “the credibility of Lebanon’s government rests on its ability to match principle with practice” — a reference to its pledge to impose a state monopoly on weapons — adding that “as long as Hezbollah retains arms, words will not suffice.” He urged both Beirut and Hezbollah “to fully commit and act now in order to not consign the Lebanese people to the stumbling status quo.”
• Lebanon Sentences 6 Hezbollah Members Over 2022 Murder: Lebanon’s military tribunal sentenced six Hezbollah terrorists for the 2022 murder of an Irish peacekeeper serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). A man named as Mohammad Ayyad was sentenced to death in absentia, with another man sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, and four other individuals ordered to pay minor fines. In 2022, Pvt. Sean Rooney was killed when his UNIFIL vehicle was fired upon in southern Lebanon, the first attack on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon since 2015.

FDD Expert Response

“Barrack has the correct approach to Lebanon: get your act together, or you’re on your own. Actions like the sentencing of Hezbollah members for the murder of a UN peacekeeper are a good start. More is required, however, such as the prosecution of Hezbollah terrorists for domestic political assassinations. Israel’s ongoing strikes in Lebanon should be scaled back only after, and in proportion to, concrete and independent actions by Lebanon to disarm and disband Hezbollah.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow

“The Lebanese judiciary has long been infiltrated by Hezbollah and its affiliates. The military tribunal’s ruling in the case of the killing of Pvt. Rooney is positive but lacks the severity necessary to hold Hezbollah accountable. The key question is whether Lebanon’s judges will now pursue justice with regard to Hezbollah’s crimes or whether they are engaging in mere gestures intended to convince the United States that the Lebanese state is countering Hezbollah.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Hezbollah Reups Its Refusal To Disarm in Lebanon,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: July 14–20, 2025,” by David Daoud

“Lebanese Central Bank Lands a Blow on Hezbollah’s Finances, but It’s Not Enough,” by David Daoud

“‘Respond With Maximum Force’: IDF Bombs Elite Hezbollah Unit Training for Invasion of Israel,” FDD Flash Brief