Hezbollah lawmaker criticizes Lebanese government over ban on armed actions

Monday 02 March 2026 - 19:01

Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, sharply criticized the Lebanese government on Monday after it announced a ban on all “military and security actions” carried out by the group.

In a public statement, Raad accused the cabinet of weakness and described its decisions as unrealistic, arguing that the government has failed to protect national sovereignty. His remarks followed comments by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam after a Cabinet meeting at Baabda Palace.

Raad said the authorities acknowledge their constitutional role in deciding matters of war and peace but lack the capacity to enforce such decisions. He argued that Lebanon continues to face repeated violations of its sovereignty and ongoing security threats. According to his statement, prohibiting what he described as resistance actions while Israeli strikes persist sends the wrong message domestically.

The political exchange comes amid heightened regional escalation. Hezbollah announced it had launched missiles and drones toward Israel, claiming the move was in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes targeting southern Beirut and areas in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported dozens of fatalities and more than a hundred injuries following the strikes. Thousands of residents were urged to evacuate villages in the south and parts of the Bekaa Valley. The Israeli military later stated it had hit dozens of Hezbollah-linked sites, including weapons storage facilities and launch positions, warning that further operations could follow.

The developments underline growing instability in the region, as diplomatic efforts struggle to contain the widening confrontation.