Bipartisan lawmakers warn Lebanon that Hezbollah’s defiance threatens Israel’s security and Lebanon’s collapsing sovereignty.
A rare bipartisan coalition of US lawmakers has issued a stark warning to Lebanon’s leadership: disarm Hezbollah now or face a catastrophic return to war, driven by an Iranian-backed terror group operating as a rogue state inside Lebanon.
Led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), the letter was delivered to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, accusing Beirut of blatant failure to enforce the November 2024 ceasefire requirement that Lebanon begin dismantling Hezbollah’s military apparatus and restoring state authority over its own territory.
“The consequences of allowing Hezbollah to rebuild are devastating for Lebanon’s security and peace in the region,” the lawmakers wrote, condemning Beirut for offering “empty promises and partial measures” while Hezbollah rapidly regroups.
US officials cited intelligence showing Hezbollah rebuilding firing positions and weapons infrastructure south of the Litani River, directly violating UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The region is meant to remain free of Hezbollah forces—yet the terror organization acts with total impunity.
“The time for empty promises has passed,” the lawmakers warned. “Every day your government fails to act pushes Lebanon closer to renewed war and deeper into the grip of a terrorist organization loyal to Iran, not to the Lebanese people.”
They stressed that Lebanon’s hopes of economic revival cannot coexist with an Iranian militia that overpowers its own military and hijacks national decision-making. “A prosperous Lebanon cannot exist while Hezbollah operates as a state within a state,” they stated.
The letter was signed by Reps. Don Bacon, Gus Bilirakis, Steve Cohen, Don Davis, Jared Golden, Mark Messmer, Tom Suozzi, and Claudia Tenney, demonstrating rare cross-party unity on the threat Hezbollah poses to US and Israeli security interests.
Under heavy American pressure—and amid fears of expanded Israeli strikes—Lebanon has pledged to finally disarm Hezbollah. The Lebanese Army claims it will dismantle Hezbollah’s border-area infrastructure by year’s end.
Hezbollah’s leadership, however, immediately condemned the government’s stance. Senior commander Naim Qassem vowed the terror organization would never surrender its arsenal, reaffirming Iran’s dominance over Lebanese sovereignty.
Israel, facing continuous provocations and reconstruction of Hezbollah positions, has continued striking terror targets in Lebanon even after the ceasefire—actions justified by Hezbollah’s violations and its escalating military buildup near Israel’s northern border.
As Hezbollah defies the world, the US message to Lebanon is unmistakable:
Disarm Iran’s proxy, or watch Lebanon collapse into another devastating war—one Israel will not hesitate to finish.
