By Micah Jonah
March 3, 2026
Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam announced a ban on Hezbollah’s military and security operations, restricting the group to political activities only. The move comes after Hezbollah fired rockets and drones at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Salam described all Hezbollah military actions as “illegal” and urged security forces to prevent attacks originating from Lebanese territory. He also called for the cessation of hostilities and the resumption of negotiations.
The Israeli army reported killing Hussein Makled, head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters, during an overnight strike in Beirut. Israel said operations against Hezbollah would continue. The Lebanese group rejected the ban, accusing the government of weakness and insisting it has the right to defend Lebanon against Israel.
Hezbollah, weakened by a 2024 war with Israel, maintains that its disarmament south of the Litani River under a November 2024 ceasefire is already underway. The Lebanese government plans to dismantle remaining arsenals in the south within four months.
The escalation has triggered mass displacement, with hundreds of thousands fleeing southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs. The US embassy in Beirut warned Americans to leave the country immediately due to the volatile security situation.
