BEIRUT – The Lebanese Cabinet is scheduled to convene next Tuesday in response to the recent threat of US Empoy Thomas Barrack on X, which says, “As long as Hezbollah holds its weapons, the government and Hezbollah must now be fully involved and acted.”
Meanwhile, the candidate for President Donald Trump’s Lebanese ambassador, Michelle Issa, announced before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he would work to ensure a full restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty once his appointment is confirmed.
In response to questions from the US Senator, Issa compared Hezbollah to a “an injured bear that could still be hurt.”
“Hezbollah is trying to buy time as parliamentary elections are taking place next year. Secondly, Hezbollah is not the one who makes the decision, and he fears losing these elections because Iran is not Lebanon, Iran, Iran, and Iran doesn’t care what he does to the people of Lebanese.
The ambassador candidate said he is aware that if Hezbollah does not abandon his weapons, there will be consequences. “Hezbollah knows that something will happen if he doesn’t give up his weapon. He doesn’t know what will happen, but something has to happen.”
The cabinet session will address the “implementation of the Minister’s statement,” according to Prime Minister Nawafsalam, who has convened the session since his return from Paris and attempted to convened the session after meeting with President Macron.
According to sources, Salam tried to convince President Joseph Own of the need to convene a session immediately before departing for Algeria, but the latter states that he “believes the conditions are still not ripe.”
In parallel, Lebanese officials were informed through various diplomatic channels that Israel refused to stop hostility and that the US President’s envoy, Thomas Barrack, will not return soon.
Washington and Tel Aviv reportedly suggest that the next war may not be against Hezbollah alone, and that the state may not be neutral if the authorities seriously deal with the weapons of the resistance, if they have not taken the necessary decisions and measures.
Second, Lebanese military leader Samir Giagea warned of delays in disarming Hezbollah. He said, “Lebanon faces two options. The first is the government’s decision to dissolve military and security agencies, to face a hot summer, or at best a bad summer.”
In an interview with Arjumliya, Congress President Navi Beli blamed the deep annoyance of those who approached negotiations with Barack with a careful and realistic approach, and intentionally exaggerating the possibility of a massive war with Lebanon, saying, “It is a surprise and contradicts the spirit of state responsibility.”
Beli praised Aoun’s approach to negotiation and weapons issues, noting that “the way he handles this issue is good.”
Salam told Aoun: “Versually, Macron said Israel didn’t wait long, Lebanon had to take practical steps to deal with the situation, and Paris also wanted a government session.”
Sources say Paris is pressured Lebanon to follow Lebanon under the pretext of addressing “urgent needs” by demanding a fundamental change in Israel’s operational mechanism, imposing complete freedom to operate without coordination with the Lebanese military, and conducting its own inspections to prevent the presence of weapons or motorists.
Israeli threats to Lebanon are being promoted by the Hebrew Press and the IDF (or IOF’s better SAY IOF) spokesmen with the aim of perpetuating the narrative of breach of the ceasefire agreement.
Maariv released a report that provides the same story (and even justifies a new attack on Lebanon), saying, “Hezbollah has not been defeated, but he is simply licking his wounds. Without organization or deterrent, he may recover, be stronger and more dangerous.”
The Israeli newspaper states, “Israel is considering several scenarios that the Radwan army may attempt to carry out at any time: attempts to launch major attacks, including small raids, attempts to launch major attacks, including attempts to attack small IDF troops, and even the lure of soldiers.”
Maarif concluded that “Hezbollah has secret abilities and facilities, but it doesn’t resemble what’s happening in Gaza.”
For some of this, Alma (Hebrew Think Tank) has published a report discussing the IOF’s intention to “continue the assassination policy aimed at preventing the emergence of new Hezbollah leadership.”
“Israel must work to increase pressure on Hezbollah by targeting the Hezbollah base,” the report said, referring to the possibility of targeting executives outside of Hezbollah’s military structure.
The warning from the Israeli entity to Lebanon is complemented by diplomatic means. Last week, the UN special coordinator at Lebanese Janine Henis Plasticurt, who visited occupied Palestinian territory, expressed fear of Israel’s intention to intervene directly to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities, under the pretext that the Lebanese response to the Barracks’ proposal was not endorsed with Israel.