Washington has delivered an uncompromising message to Beirut: disarm Hezbollah immediately and enter direct peace negotiations with Israel, or face the continuation of Israeli military operations indefinitely.
According to L'Orient-Le Jour, which obtained details from multiple diplomatic sources, the American ultimatum delivered Tuesday places the Lebanese Army in an impossible position. Washington is demanding that the military take immediate action to end all Hezbollah military activity, prevent missile launches, confiscate weapons, and take control of the group's positions—by force if necessary.
The second component of the message calls on Lebanon to engage in direct negotiations with Israel with the aim of reaching a peace agreement, fundamentally reordering the regional diplomatic landscape.
Lebanese official sources told L'Orient-Le Jour that Beirut fears an internal confrontation, particularly as any clash between the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah would have "negative repercussions on the country's overall situation and on the unity of the military institution." The army, composed of soldiers from all of Lebanon's religious sects including Shia communities that form Hezbollah's base, has historically avoided direct confrontation with the group to preserve national cohesion.
Yet the diplomatic response, according to the sources, remains unambiguous: the priority is disarming Hezbollah, and if Lebanon wants to end the war, that is the only path forward.
According to L'Orient-Le Jour's reporting, the Lebanese Army has made no decision to confront Hezbollah, seize its positions, or confiscate weapons by force, particularly while Israeli military operations continue. Lebanese officials believe a ceasefire is necessary before any disarmament can proceed. However, American and Israeli officials have expressed a lack of trust in the Lebanese state, noting that enjoyed a year-and-a-half reprieve following previous commitments without implementing promised measures. During that time, Hezbollah maintained its power, remained present south of the , and continued to possess rocket-launching and combat capabilities.
