Lebanon and Israel Begin Discussions Amid Ongoing Conflict
As the war in Lebanon intensifies, I recall a conversation with President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace, a modernist structure atop a hill overlooking Beirut, during last August’s tensions. Aoun, a retired military leader, assumed office following a brutal conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a Shia militia and political faction backed by Iran. At that moment, Hezbollah had suffered setbacks and was isolated domestically, yet Aoun pledged to dismantle its arsenal. The persistent dispute over Hezbollah’s weapons has long split Lebanon, but he believed a resolution was within reach. “I was born an optimist,” he remarked.
A fragile ceasefire was in effect when we met, having ended the Israel-Hezbollah war in November 2024. Despite this, Israel launched daily strikes targeting individuals and groups connected to Hezbollah. In some regions, hostilities had not ceased. From my residence in eastern Beirut, I could occasionally hear the whir of Israeli drones overhead. For Hezbollah’s backers, the group serves as their primary shield against Israeli incursions, which they view as a threat to Lebanese sovereignty. Critics, however, argue that Hezbollah prioritizes its Iranian allies, pulling Lebanon into prolonged conflicts.
Historical Context of Hezbollah’s Role
Hezbollah, or “Party of God” in Arabic, emerged in the 1980s during Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon, amid the Lebanese Civil War. Funded, trained, and armed by Iran, it positioned itself as a resistance force against Israeli presence. The 1989 Taif Agreement, which concluded the civil war, required all militias to surrender weapons and established a power-sharing system among Lebanon’s diverse sects. Hezbollah, however, claimed its arsenal was essential for resisting occupation, defying the agreement.
Israel withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon in 2000 after an 18-year occupation, but disputes over territory persisted. The 2006 UN Resolution 1701, which ended the war and demanded Hezbollah’s disarmament, has never been fully enacted. The group is recognized as a terrorist organization by nations like the UK and US, yet in Lebanon, it operates as a political party, a social movement, and a key provider of services where the state has limited reach. It remains the country’s most influential actor.
Current Ceasefire Efforts and Challenges
With Hezbollah refusing to engage in nationwide disarmament, President Aoun proposed direct talks with Israel, a bold move for two nations that lack mutual recognition. Israel delayed until last week, when the US brokered a ceasefire with Iran and Israel launched a devastating air campaign, killing over 300 people in a single day. Ambassadors from both countries are set to meet in Washington on Tuesday, focusing on stabilizing the region.
Aoun’s administration has championed a policy of “state monopoly on arms,” asserting that Hezbollah’s weapons must be under government control. However, he cautioned that unilateral actions to seize the group’s arms could reignite violence. “We can’t let the country slip into another civil war,” he said during our August meeting. As Israeli attacks continue and Hezbollah remains firm in its stance, the prospects for lasting peace appear uncertain.
“I was born an optimist,” he said during our August meeting.
