Lebanon (MNN) — The government of Lebanon missed its December 31, 2025 deadline to disarm Hezbollah. The disarmament is part of a US-forwarded ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Israel has responded by conducting airstrikes every day this week on Hezbollah targets in southern and eastern Lebanon.
The ceasefire agreement is controversial. Camille Melki with Heart for Lebanon notes that there are different interpretations on where the agreement requires a complete disarmament of Hezbollah.
“Lebanon claims that this [December 31] deadline is only for the southern part of Lebanon. Of course, Israel claims that ‘No, this is for the entire Lebanese territory,'” Melki says. “Regardless, Lebanon did not meet that deadline.”
Melki says some of the places Israel struck this week hadn’t been targeted since the November 2024 ceasefire, which made the attacks a surprising move. One Tuesday strike in Ghaziyeh, a district of Sidon, hit two miles from one of Heart for Lebanon’s ministry centers. The team has continued to serve through many dangers the past year, but it was a shock.
“Of course, some [staff] were quite shaken, as they live also near the center, and they could hear and see the damage early in the morning,” says Melki. “A lot of the buildings had broken glass.”
Today, January 8, an important cabinet meeting is happening with the Lebanese government, where the chief of Lebanon’s army will deliver a briefing on the current status of disarming non-state groups, which includes Hezbollah.
Food aid distribution
(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)
“A lot is expected from that meeting,” says Melki, “not only to hear what the head of the army has to say about this deadline, but also how the army will continue in its quest to disarm Hezbollah.”
Find your place in the story
Pray for wise leaders to take bold and proper steps. Pray also for opportunities for the churches to share the hope of Christ with their communities.
“This is our moment to show boldly and clearly the Christ that we believe in,” says Melki.
Glimpse how the team at Heart for Lebanon spreads practical aid and the gospel at heartforlebanon.org.
Finally, to those who follow Mission Network News reports, Melki extends a special greeting: “Happy New Year! Hoping that this 2026 brings joy and hope and well-being from our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Header photo: IDF displays weapons captured from Hezbollah in December 2024. (Wikimedia Commons)
