What's happened
Lebanese authorities are close to completing the first phase of disarming Hezbollah, as part of a US-backed ceasefire agreement from November 2024. The plan involves confiscating weapons south of the Litani River, with efforts to extend this to other regions amid ongoing tensions and Israeli strikes. The Lebanese army is leading the process, but Hezbollah resists disarmament.
What's behind the headline?
The disarmament process in Lebanon is a critical test of the ceasefire's durability and Lebanon's sovereignty. The Lebanese army's efforts to confiscate Hezbollah weapons face significant resistance from the group, which claims it is abiding by the ceasefire and warns against disarmament while Israel continues strikes. The inclusion of civilian representatives in talks signals a shift towards diplomatic solutions, but Hezbollah's refusal and Israel's military actions suggest the risk of renewed conflict remains high. The US-backed plan's success hinges on Lebanon's ability to balance internal political pressures with external security threats. If disarmament stalls, Israel will likely escalate strikes, and regional tensions will intensify, risking a broader conflict. The next few weeks will be decisive in determining whether Lebanon can implement the disarmament plan or if hostilities will reignite.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Lebanon is nearing the completion of the first phase of disarmament south of the Litani River, with efforts to extend to other regions. Al Jazeera highlights the ongoing resistance from Hezbollah and the international diplomatic efforts to support Lebanon's military. The New Arab emphasizes the political pressures and the Lebanese cabinet's recent approval of disarmament plans, while Reuters notes the continued Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions and the challenges faced by the Lebanese army. All sources agree that the process is complex, politically sensitive, and crucial for regional stability, but differ in their emphasis on Hezbollah's resistance and the international diplomatic context.
How we got here
The ceasefire ending over a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah was brokered in November 2024, requiring Hezbollah's disarmament starting in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's government tasked the Lebanese army with implementing a weapons consolidation plan, aiming to establish a state monopoly on arms. Despite progress, Hezbollah's resistance and ongoing Israeli strikes complicate disarmament efforts, with international and domestic pressures mounting for Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah and prevent renewed conflict.
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Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam is a Lebanese politician, diplomat, jurist and academic who is the prime minister-designate of Lebanon.
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Joseph Khalil Aoun is a Lebanese Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017.
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.