What's happened
The Lebanese army reports significant progress in its plan to disarm non-state militias, including Hezbollah, controlling the south of Lebanon. Despite ongoing Israeli strikes and international pressure, the military claims to have achieved its first phase, with further steps planned. Israel and Hezbollah continue to accuse each other of violations.
What's behind the headline?
The Lebanese army's claim of progress in disarming Hezbollah and other militias signals a strategic attempt to reassert state sovereignty amid regional tensions. However, the disparity between official statements and Israeli and UN assessments highlights the fragility of this effort. Israel's continued strikes and occupation of key hilltops suggest that disarmament remains incomplete and that military escalation is likely if Lebanon's government fails to enforce disarmament. The political support for Hezbollah within Lebanon complicates the disarmament process, risking internal conflict if the army attempts to move north of the Litani. The international community's role is pivotal; without consensus and enforcement, the risk of renewed conflict persists. The next phases will test Lebanon's capacity to control its territory and disarm armed groups, with regional stability hanging in the balance.
What the papers say
The NY Post reports that the Lebanese army has achieved the objectives of its first phase, focusing on expanding operational control in the south, but notes ongoing Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's rearmament efforts. Al Jazeera emphasizes the army's declaration of establishing a state monopoly on arms south of the Litani, while highlighting Israel's criticism that Hezbollah's infrastructure is still being rebuilt. Both sources acknowledge the political and military challenges, with Al Jazeera pointing out Hezbollah's refusal to disarm north of the Litani and the potential for internal conflict. AP News and The Independent provide context on the broader regional implications, including the US and Israel's pressure on Lebanon and the ongoing violations of the ceasefire. The articles collectively underscore the complex, multi-layered struggle over disarmament, regional security, and Lebanon's sovereignty.
How we got here
Following the 2024 ceasefire ending a year-long war between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon's military launched a multi-phase disarmament plan. The first phase aimed to control weapons south of the Litani River, with the goal of extending state monopoly over arms. International actors, including the US, Israel, and the UN, have pressured Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, which remains a powerful political and military force despite losses in the conflict. The ongoing tension is compounded by Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's efforts to rebuild its capabilities, with the ceasefire stipulating disarmament but with persistent violations and disagreements over the scope of disarmament.
Go deeper
Common question
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What’s Next for Lebanon’s Disarmament Efforts?
Lebanon’s military has recently extended control over southern regions, aiming to disarm Hezbollah and restore stability after the 2024 conflict with Israel. But what does this move really mean for regional peace, and what are the next steps? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding Lebanon’s ongoing disarmament process, the role of regional tensions, and what the future might hold for Lebanon’s security landscape.
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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.
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The Lebanese Armed Forces or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the Lebanese Army, is the military of the Lebanese Republic. It consists of three branches, the army, the air force, and the navy. The motto of the Lebanese Armed Forces is "H
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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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.