According to a detailed Reuters report published on July 4, Hezbollah has begun internal discussions over potentially scaling back its military role without fully disarming, a significant strategic reconsideration in the aftermath of its devastating war with Israel.
Citing three sources familiar with the ongoing, unfinalized deliberations, the report reveals that the pro-Iranian group may agree to surrender part of its weapons arsenal, particularly its more advanced missiles and drones, if Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon and halts its attacks. However, Hezbollah reportedly intends to retain lighter arms and anti-tank weapons as a means of deterrence against future threats.
This potential shift comes amid unprecedented financial strain, growing domestic and international pressure, particularly from the United States, and changing regional dynamics, including the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, one of Hezbollah’s key allies.
The group has already handed over several weapons depots in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces under the terms of the US- and France-brokered ceasefire. According to sources cited by Reuters, further steps would hinge on Israeli compliance and broader political negotiations.
While Hezbollah’s leadership has not confirmed these deliberations to Reuters, behind the scenes, small internal committees have been quietly reviewing the group’s future structure, its leadership, political presence, social role and military capabilities. A senior official involved in the process told Reuters that Hezbollah has come to view the large arsenal it built over decades as a strategic burden rather than an asset. “All that strength turned into a weak point,” the official said.
However, the Reuters report underlines that full disarmament remains off the table for now, as Hezbollah continues to see its military wing as vital to both defense and identity.
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