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Above: Gottheimer and LaHood with Lebanese President Aoun.<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2014 Today, Thursday, October 1, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, returned from a bipartisan congressional delegation to Lebanon that he led with U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16). This trip comes at a moment of rare opportunity, with a new technocratic Lebanese government in place and Hezbollah\u2019s influence significantly weakened.<\/p>\n
Gottheimer pressed Lebanese leaders to fully disarm and defund Hezbollah and meet the obligations Beirut accepted when it signed the June 2026 Trilateral Framework with the United States and Israel. The delegation met with Lebanese government officials \u2014 including President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Farid Geagea, and dozens of Members of Parliament including Michel Moawad \u2014 to discuss removing Iranian influence from Lebanon and the full and verifiable disarmament of Hezbollah.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In June, Lebanon and Israel signed a U.S.-brokered framework under which Lebanon would disarm Hezbollah and Israeli forces would withdraw in phases as that disarmament is verified. This marks the first Lebanese government to negotiate directly with Israel, and that momentum must continue to ensure the success of the deal. Implementation is still in its early stages. So far, the Lebanese Armed Forces have deployed to an initial set of villages, but no timetable or way to verify Hezbollah\u2019s weapons and infrastructure are gone has been agreed, and Hezbollah continues to reject disarmament. Completing the framework is critical to returning all of Lebanon\u2019s territory to the control of the Lebanese people, out of the grip of Hezbollah and its Iranian handlers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLebanon is at a turning point. For far too long, Iran has used Hezbollah, its terror proxy, to hold the Lebanese people hostage. It has drained the country\u2019s economy, weakened its institutions, and pulled it into wars the Lebanese people never chose,\u201d\u00a0said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s time to return Lebanon to the Lebanese people. That means removing Iran\u2019s influence and fully disarming and defunding Hezbollah. Lebanon made that commitment in June, and now it has to follow through fully, verifiably, and across the entire country. A Lebanon without Hezbollah is better for the Lebanese people, for the Middle East, and for America.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the trip, Gottheimer and the delegation focused on:<\/p>\n
Enforcing the Trilateral Framework:\u00a0Backing a time-bound, Cabinet-approved plan to disarm Hezbollah with real third-party verification, so that Hezbollah\u2019s weapons, tunnels, and command structure are removed.<\/p>\n
Removing Iranian influence:\u00a0Stopping Iran from spreading its money, weapons, and influence through Lebanon. That means cutting Hezbollah\u2019s smuggling routes and cash couriers, enforcing sanctions on the banks and businesses that rearm and refinance it, and rejecting any Iranian role in deciding Lebanon\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
Disarming Hezbollah:\u00a0Holding Lebanon to the commitment it made when it signed the Trilateral Framework for the full, verified disarmament and dismantlement of Hezbollah nationwide, including the seizure or destruction of its weapons and tunnels, the closure of its smuggling routes, and the demobilization of its fighters.<\/p>\n
Returning Lebanon to the Lebanese people:\u00a0Backing Lebanese leaders and institutions working to rebuild a sovereign, free, and prosperous country.<\/p>\n
Combating terror in the region:\u00a0Working with partners to cut off terror financing, stop weapons smuggling, and protect U.S. troops, Israel, and our allies.<\/p>\n
\u201cLebanon made a commitment in June, and what comes next is critical to the future of the country,\u201d\u00a0Gottheimer continued.\u00a0\u201cEvery day Hezbollah keeps its weapons is another day Iran gets a vote in the future of Lebanon. A stable, sovereign Lebanon, free from Iran\u2019s terror proxies, is good for the Lebanese people and vital to America\u2019s national security. I\u2019ll keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support that outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
While in Lebanon, Gottheimer also visited Maghen Abraham Synagogue and the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gottheimer has repeatedly pressed for Hezbollah\u2019s disarmament. In June 2026, he and U.S. Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Hezbollah\u2019s repeated ceasefire violations and calling on the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure Hezbollah ceases all attacks and disarms. In December 2025, he and U.S. Congressman Jefferson Shreve (IN-6) led a bipartisan letter to the Lebanese President and Prime Minister urging them to disarm Hezbollah immediately, including by force if necessary.<\/p>\n
Below: Gottheimer and LaHood in Lebanon.<\/p>\n
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