Lebanon’s Justice Minister Says Army Incapable of Military Confrontation with Israel

Lebanon’s Justice Minister has stated that the country’s army lacks the capacity to engage in a military confrontation with Israel, asserting that political avenues remain Beirut’s only viable option for dealing with what he described as a hostile threat.

According to media reports, Adel Nassar sparked debate with his remarks, emphasizing that monopolizing arms under the control of the state should not be seen as serving Israel, but rather as an effort to bolster Lebanese sovereignty and advance the nation’s stance in international forums.

These comments come amid ongoing arguments within Lebanon over the role of resistance groups, including Hezbollah, who maintain that their weapons are essential for confronting occupation and defending the country’s territorial integrity. They argue that any disarmament would leave Lebanon vulnerable to threats.

Meanwhile, critics claim the Lebanese government is being pushed—primarily through external pressure from the United States and Israel—toward limiting the weapons held by resistance groups, a move that raises serious concerns about national security amid continued Israeli attacks.

Reports indicate that since a ceasefire agreement, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 340 people—a toll that has cast further doubt on the effectiveness of a purely political strategy.