Lebanon’s Justice Minister Henry Helou criticized Hezbollah for its unilateral decision to launch rockets at Israel, saying the attacks provided Israel with a pretext to escalate into a large-scale conflict. In a CNN interview with Christiane Amanpour, Helou emphasized that Hezbollah’s actions undermined the Lebanese government’s year-long efforts to enforce a state monopoly on arms. He noted that even Hezbollah-affiliated ministers had approved initiatives to centralize weapons control, but the group’s refusal to cooperate and decision to attack Israel weakened Lebanon’s diplomatic position.

Helou stressed that Hezbollah’s actions not only destabilized Lebanon internally but also escalated tensions across the region. By launching rockets independently, the group disregarded government authority and contributed to a cycle of retaliatory strikes. Lebanese officials argue that the lack of coordination with state security forces has hampered efforts to maintain national stability and protect civilian populations. Analysts note that such non-cooperation complicates both domestic governance and international diplomacy.

The minister highlighted the broader consequences of Hezbollah’s decisions, including the justification it gave Israel for large-scale military operations. Helou’s statements suggest that Lebanon’s leadership seeks to distance itself from the militant group’s unilateral actions, reinforcing the principle that the state, not armed factions, should control national security decisions. He emphasized that these challenges have made diplomatic negotiations with international partners more difficult.

Lebanese authorities continue to push for disarmament and stricter regulation of militant factions, arguing that national security requires adherence to government authority. Helou framed Hezbollah’s independent military operations as a direct threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty and as a factor fueling ongoing conflict in the Israel-Lebanon border region. Observers note that resolving these tensions will require both internal reforms and external diplomatic pressure to limit the influence of non-state actors on national decision-making.