• Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem rejects calls for disarmament, stating they serve Israeli interests.
• Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun emphasizes urgency in disarming armed groups including Hezbollah.
• The U.S. pressures Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah before resuming talks on Israeli military actions.
• Hezbollah remains defiant, linking calls for disarmament to serving Israeli goals.
• Aoun proposes modification to U.S. disarmament ideas in exchange for international support for Lebanese army.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem publicly rejected calls for the group's disarmament, arguing that such demands are in service to Israeli interests. "Those who call for submitting arms practically demand submitting them to Israel ... We will not submit to Israel," Qassem stated during a televised address. He highlighted the U.S. pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah before continuing talks aimed at halting Israeli military operations, describing it as "serving the Israeli project," according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

In a strong response to the ongoing demands, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun urged Lebanese political authorities to commit to disarmament, stating it is essential for extending state sovereignty. "It is the duty of all political parties to seize this historic opportunity without hesitation and push for the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the army," he remarked. Aoun emphasized that a formal cabinet decision to disarm Hezbollah is vital for Lebanon's reconstruction and regaining international support, as reported by TRT Global and Al Jazeera.

The U.S. has been pressing for a commitment from Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah before any engagement in discussions about the halt to Israeli hostilities. This includes removing Hezbollah's weaponry as a condition to resume negotiations regarding the Israeli military's activities in Lebanon, according to Dawn and TRT Global.

Aoun indicated that a cabinet meeting would explore new proposals for disarmament and related security measures next week, aiming to conciliate with American suggestions while addressing local realities. This includes a potential call for an international conference to support reconstruction efforts amidst ongoing military tensions, as elaborated by Al Jazeera and Dawn.

Despite the pressure, Hezbollah leaders maintain that discussions surrounding the disarmament of its arsenal will only commence once Israel withdraws from Lebanese territories and ceases its air operations. This stance continues to fuel tensions within Lebanon, as state authorities grapple with external demands juxtaposed against national sovereignty issues, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.