By Henry Maxwell
Senior World Affairs Analyst, Wide World News
March 02, 2026
Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, has declared Hezbollah’s military operations illegal following the group’s recent attacks on northern Israel from Lebanese territory. The move comes amid escalating regional tensions and growing international calls for restraint on both sides.
In a statement released from Beirut, Salam emphasized that “all armed activities conducted outside the authority of the Lebanese state are illegal,” reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining sovereignty and avoiding further entanglement in regional conflicts. His remarks are seen as a direct attempt to distance the Lebanese state from Hezbollah’s actions, which have drawn condemnation from Israel and concern from Western governments.
The cross-border assaults, involving rocket and drone launches, triggered Israeli retaliatory strikes near the southern Lebanese border, raising fears of a broader confrontation. These clashes occurred at a time when tensions between Israel and militant groups across the region have surged following renewed hostilities in Gaza.
Hezbollah, a powerful Shiite political and military organization backed by Iran, remains a dominant force within Lebanon’s political landscape. Despite participating in the government, the group maintains an independent paramilitary structure—something critics argue undermines national unity and sovereignty.
Prime Minister Salam’s statement marks one of the most forceful public positions a Lebanese leader has taken in years regarding Hezbollah’s armed role. Analysts suggest the declaration could signal an effort to reassure international partners and stabilize Lebanon’s fragile political and economic situation, though enforcement may prove difficult given Hezbollah’s influence.
The international community has urged both sides to avoid escalation, warning that an extended conflict would destabilize not only Lebanon but the broader Middle East. For now, Beirut faces the delicate challenge of asserting state authority while preventing the country from sliding deeper into confrontation.
