Hezbollah outright rejected Lebanon's government decision granting the army a four-month timeline to advance the second phase of a nationwide disarmament plan. The group's secretary-general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, accused the government of serving Israeli aggression by focusing on disarmament while Israeli strikes continue. This stance led Shi'ite ministers to walk out of a cabinet session in protest.

The cabinet tasked Lebanon's army in August 2025 with drawing up a plan to bring all armed groups' weapons under state control, primarily targeting the Iran-backed militia after its 2024 war with Israel. In September 2025, the cabinet formally welcomed the army's plan but cautioned that the military's limited capabilities and ongoing Israeli strikes could hinder progress. Information Minister Paul Morcos specified the four-month period, renewable based on capabilities, Israeli attacks, and field obstacles, focusing on areas north of the Litani River up to Sidon.

Israel has repeatedly said Hezbollah's disarmament is a security priority, arguing the group's weapons pose a direct threat. Israeli officials insist any plan must be fully implemented, especially near the border, and vow continued action to prevent arming of hostile actors until cross-border threats are eliminated. The stalemate underscores Lebanon's struggle to assert state authority over armed factions and risks further destabilization.