BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanon’s army said on Thursday that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah in south Lebanon, while Israel called the efforts encouraging but “far from sufficient”.
Under heavy US pressure and amid fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming Hezbollah.
Israel has continued air strikes in Lebanon despite the November 2024 ceasefire with Hezbollah. Israel maintained that its military is targeting Hezbollah sites in Lebanon.
Despite the truce, Israel has kept up regular strikes in Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites. Israel has also maintained troops in five south Lebanon areas in violation of the truce.
More than 350 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon since the ceasefire, according to Lebanon’s health ministry reports.
Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons amid Israeli aggression.
In a statement, Lebanon’s army said it had “achieved the objectives of the first phase” of its plan, covering the area south of the Litani River — around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border — with the intention to extend it to the rest of the country.
It noted “the exception of territory and positions still occupied by Israel” near the border.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that the ceasefire “states clearly, Hezbollah must be fully disarmed”.
“Efforts made toward this end by the Lebanese government and the Lebanese armed forces are an encouraging beginning, but they are far from sufficient,” it added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Lebanon on Thursday, saying the “primary objective” of his two-day trip was to consult with Lebanese officials about the “serious challenges and threats” facing the region “by the Zionist regime”, referring to Israel.
‘Full support’
Under the ceasefire, Hezbollah was to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure dismantled in the evacuated areas.
Lebanon’s army said it would continue operations south of the Litani to “complete the disposal of unexploded ordnance” and search for tunnels dug by Hezbollah, taking measures to “permanently prevent armed groups from rebuilding their capabilities”.
Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal is to brief the government later Thursday on the military’s progress.
The second phase of the army’s plan covers the rest of the country’s south up to the Awali River, near the coastal city of Sidon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, in a statement, expressed “full support” for his army’s announcement.
The deployment in the south aims to cement the state’s monopoly on bearing weapons and its responsibility for decisions of war and peace, “and to prevent the use of Lebanese territory as a launchpad for any hostilities”, Aoun said in the statement.
He said “lasting stability” required addressing outstanding issues, including Israel’s ongoing troop presence and attacks.
He urged the international community to assist in implementing the ceasefire deal and hasten “support for the capabilities of the Lebanese army”.
