Lebanon has ordered its official media outlets to stop using the term “resistance” when referring to Hezbollah, and instead use the terror group’s name, Lebanese outlet Al Modon reported on Monday, citing a circular from the country’s information ministry.
Further, the phrases “resistance” and “Islamic Resistance” are being removed from statements issued by Hezbollah itself from broadcasts from the National News Agency, Lebanon’s official government news agency, Al Modon reported.
Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos sent a circular to official media outlets, as per a March 2 Lebanese cabinet decision to monopolize government authority on “decisions of war and peace,” sources familiar with the matter told Al Modon.
The outlet noted the cabinet decision separated Hezbollah's political wing from its military wing and represents a “highly significant shift in Lebanese media discourse” and is indicative of the Lebanese government’s recognition of Hezbollah as an armed militia operating outside state authority.
According to sources who spoke to Al Modon, the decision has since sparked discussions across media outlets, but the leadership of official media groups has informed employees that it must be implemented.
Lebanon’s Aoun vows army will disarm Hezbollah
The report comes after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun last week called for the implementation of a new ceasefire agreement with Israel and vowed the Lebanese military would disarm Hezbollah and “confiscate all weapons” from the terrorist organization.
Nevertheless, Israel has expressed doubt about Lebanon’s ability to do this and has continued its strikes against Hezbollah, which resumed rocket and drone attacks against Israel following the start of Operation Roaring Lion against Iran.
On Sunday, the IDF said it had destroyed 85% to 90% of Hezbollah’s pre-2023 rocket arsenal.
Later, on Monday, following IDF Division 91's deeper push into southern Lebanon, Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened that the military would turn the villages there into a wasteland like in Gaza.