MP Elias Hankach on Wednesday urged Hezbollah to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese army, saying the group can no longer “gamble with the lives of the Lebanese people” as violence with Israel escalates.

In an interview with MTV Lebanon, Hankach pointed to conflicting reports that rockets had been launched from north of the Litani River and said the Lebanese army has been carrying out its duties under extremely difficult conditions.

“The Lebanese army is not Superman,” he said, noting that many soldiers have died in the line of duty. “It has done everything within its power.”

Hankach questioned the timing and rationale behind Hezbollah’s recent actions, noting that Israel has been striking Lebanon for the past year and a half while the army continued to perform its role.

“Why take this reckless step now?” he asked. “What exactly did this decision achieve?”

He argued that Hezbollah must coordinate with the army and surrender its arsenal, saying ordinary citizens are paying the price for the escalation.

“It’s the people who are suffering the most,” he said.

Hankach added that the current government inherited “40 years of dysfunction” and cannot fix decades of systemic problems overnight. Still, he stressed that the State must assert its authority.

“By opening this front, Hezbollah has essentially invited Israel to attack,” he said. “The State has to respond firmly.”

He called for the imprisonment of any security, political or media figure acting against Lebanon’s national interest and said all sources of funding for such actions must be shut down.

He described Hezbollah as an outlaw organization, adding that anyone who finances or supports it is also breaking the law and should be detained by security forces.

“Refusing to hand over weapons isn’t bravery,” Hankach said. “All arms must be placed exclusively under the authority of the Lebanese army. That’s the only way all communities can come together and rebuild this country.”

He said disarming Hezbollah is the cornerstone of building a new Lebanon, arguing that the group must face the reality that its weapons have not delivered the protection they promised.

Hankach expressed regret over the hardships civilians are enduring, calling them innocent victims, and urged municipalities to stay alert to avoid putting residents at further risk. He said a meeting had been scheduled for Thursday at the initiative of Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel to discuss displacement in the Metn district.

Despite the turmoil, Hankach said Lebanon still has a “historic opportunity” to rebuild once the current wave of violence subsides, highlighting the country’s talented younger generation.

He said it was painful to see Lebanon facing destruction again, noting that many had believed the country would not repeat past mistakes.

Hankach also called for an end to Iranian interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs and urged diplomatic pressure to secure an Israeli withdrawal and a halt to attacks on Lebanese territory, saying Lebanon does not want war.

“We need to be fully prepared — with the army positioned on the eastern border and strong diplomatic pressure at work,” he said, describing any occupation or violation of Lebanese territory by Syrian or Israeli forces as an assault on Lebanese sovereignty.

“This is a historic moment,” Hankach said. “We have to protect our country and rise to the responsibility.”