The United States has put forward a significant proposal that calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of the year, alongside a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. The plan, presented by President Trump’s envoy, Tom Barrack, aims to stabilize the precarious ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel following the conflict that erupted in 2022. Lebanese lawmakers are currently reviewing this comprehensive document submitted on March 31, 2025.
According to reports from Reuters, the urgency of this proposal stems from escalating complaints regarding Israeli violations of the current ceasefire. These violations include airstrikes and cross-border operations, which threaten the stability of the fragile status quo in the region. The document emphasizes the need for Beirut to officially commit to disarming Hezbollah by December 31, 2025, coinciding with Israel’s cessation of all military operations—land, air, and sea—within Lebanon.
Currently, Israel maintains control over five strategic points in southern Lebanon, a measure Israeli officials argue is necessary to prevent attacks from Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran. The proposal outlines a phased approach to the disarmament process. The second phase mandates Lebanon to establish a plan within 60 days for the military to assume control of all Hezbollah weapons. During this phase, Israel would begin withdrawing its forces from the five locations and agree to release Lebanese prisoners taken during the 2022 conflict, with oversight by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The third phase, expected to conclude within 90 days, envisions the full withdrawal of Israeli troops. Additionally, a financial framework would be set in place to assist in rebuilding infrastructure that was damaged during the conflict. The final phase calls for the dismantling of all of Hezbollah’s heavy weaponry, including missiles and drones. Once this is achieved, the U.S. plans to convene with France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other allied nations to implement President Trump’s vision for restoring Lebanon as a prosperous and viable nation.
In light of these developments, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has urged the military to formulate a strategy to restrict arms for Hezbollah. The group has faced significant losses in its confrontations with Israel, suffering thousands of casualties, including the death of its founder, Hassan Nasrallah, and many senior leaders. Despite this, Hezbollah has consistently rejected calls for its demilitarization. The organization has warned the Lebanese government against complying with such demands, labeling them a “grave sin,” as reported by AFP.
As the situation unfolds, the White House has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the proposal. The implications of this plan could reshape the geopolitical landscape in the region, impacting both Israeli and Lebanese communities significantly.