August M
The Lebanese army says it has assumed security control in the south of the country, an area long dominated by Hezbollah and heavily scarred by conflict. The announcement comes amid international pressure and renewed fears that fighting with Israel could intensify again.
Officials describe the move as a milestone, but acknowledge the situation on the ground remains fragile.
Army claims progress
According to the BBC, the Lebanese army said it had met its year-end goal of clearing areas south of the Litani river of non-state weapons. The zone stretches roughly 30km from the border with Israel and is the first phase of a broader government-backed plan.
The army said its objective had been achieved in an “effective and tangible way”, while stressing that further work was needed to deal with unexploded ordnance and underground tunnels.
In recent months, Lebanese soldiers have dismantled former Hezbollah infrastructure in the south without facing resistance from the group.
Ceasefire backdrop
The move follows a ceasefire agreement in November 2024 that ended a year-long and destructive war between Israel and Hezbollah. Since then, Lebanon has faced strong international pressure, particularly from the United States, to curb the group’s military role.
Hezbollah says it has complied with the ceasefire and withdrawn its fighters from the southern areas, where Palestinian factions including Hamas had also operated.
However, US and Israeli officials have voiced frustration over what they see as slow progress by the Lebanese army.
Israeli response
Reacting to the army’s statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said efforts to disarm Hezbollah were “an encouraging beginning, but they are far from sufficient, as evidenced by Hezbollah’s efforts to rearm and rebuild its terror infrastructure with Iranian support”.
Israel has continued near-daily strikes on targets it says are linked to Hezbollah, despite the ceasefire, and still occupies at least five positions in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s government rejects Israel’s claims, saying the attacks violate the ceasefire and undermine the army’s work.
Disputed claims
Israel has not made public the evidence it says it holds about Hezbollah’s activities. The UN peacekeeping force Unifil has said it has seen no sign that Hezbollah is rebuilding infrastructure in the areas where it operates.
Lebanese officials say the next phase of the plan will cover the area between the Litani and Awali rivers, including the port city of Sidon, though no timeline has been set.
The army has warned that limited funding and equipment could slow progress.
Political tensions ahead
It remains unclear whether Hezbollah will cooperate with similar measures elsewhere.
The group says it will not disarm north of the Litani and retains strong influence in Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa valley.
President Joseph Aoun has rejected the use of force, warning it could inflame sectarian tensions.
While Hezbollah continues to enjoy support among many Shia Lebanese, critics argue its losses in the war present a rare chance to address its weapons.
In the south, tens of thousands remain displaced, with reconstruction aid tied to action against the group.
Sources: BBC
