• Hezbollah dismisses Lebanon's disarmament plan as a "grave sin" under U.S. influence.
• Lebanese Cabinet pushes for a state monopoly on weapons, targeting Hezbollah's military status.
• The U.S. proposes a phased disarmament plan linked to Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
• Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon continue despite calls for disarmament, escalating tensions.
• Calls for dialogue are made, but Hezbollah states it will not negotiate while under aggression.

Hezbollah has condemned the recent Lebanese government decision to establish a state monopoly on arms as a “grave sin,” claiming it undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and serves Israel's interests. In a statement released on Wednesday, the group asserted it would treat the government's decision "as if it does not exist," reiterating its refusal to disarm amid increasing U.S. pressure for compliance, according to trtglobal and africanews.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced after the cabinet meeting that the Lebanese Army has been tasked with creating a plan to monopolize weapons by year-end, a move that is seen as aimed directly at Hezbollah, which has historically resisted disarmament. Hezbollah’s leaders, including Naim Qassem, emphasize that they will not consider disarming while Israeli military operations continue, as they assert, "The resistance is fine, strong and ready to fight," according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

The U.S. proposal includes a phased disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of 2025, paired with a cessation of Israeli military operations and withdrawal from five positions in southern Lebanon. This proposal, presented by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, outlines a detailed framework aimed at restoring stability following last year's conflict, where Hezbollah suffered significant losses, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The cabinet's decision has intensified internal political divisions, leading to the walkout of Shiite ministers, including Hezbollah’s allies, during sessions discussing disarmament, which they perceive as surrendering to U.S. and Israeli demands. Information Minister Paul Morcos confirmed that the government has only discussed the objectives of the U.S. plan, without committing to its terms yet, as speculation grows about challenges these negotiations face, according to Los Angeles Times and trtglobal.

The military situation remains tense, as Israel continues its airstrikes in Lebanon, purportedly targeting Hezbollah interests, which has heightened fears of further conflict. These actions are perceived as violations of the ceasefire established after extensive fighting, raising questions about the viability of the disarmament proposals in this charged atmosphere, as reported by BBC and Al Jazeera.