What's happened
Lebanese authorities are progressing with plans to extend state control over arms, with recent developments including the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River. The government aims to expand this effort northward amid ongoing regional tensions, Israeli strikes, and international pressure, while clashes and political debates continue to shape the security landscape.
What's behind the headline?
The ongoing disarmament process in Lebanon is a complex interplay of regional power dynamics and internal political will. The Lebanese government’s push to extend control over arms signals a significant attempt to assert state sovereignty amid persistent Israeli strikes and Hezbollah’s resistance. The recent progress, including the completion of the first phase south of the Litani, indicates a strategic shift, but the refusal of Hezbollah to disarm north of the Litani remains a major obstacle. The regional context, with France and the US advocating for disarmament and stability, contrasts with Hezbollah’s stance and Israel’s continued military actions. This situation suggests that Lebanon’s disarmament efforts will face prolonged resistance, and regional tensions will likely escalate unless diplomatic breakthroughs occur. The upcoming decisions in the government and international conferences will be critical in shaping Lebanon’s future security landscape. The risk of renewed conflict remains high, especially if Hezbollah perceives threats to its weapons or influence, and Israeli strikes persist. The international community’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and disarmament will be tested in the coming weeks, with regional stability hanging in the balance.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports on the Lebanese government’s progress and regional tensions, highlighting the disarmament efforts and Israeli strikes. The Times of Israel provides insights into the security situation, including Prime Minister Salam’s visits and the ongoing Israeli military operations. Reuters and AFP detail the regional diplomatic efforts, including France’s role and US pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. Contrasting opinions emerge: while Lebanese officials emphasize stability and sovereignty, US officials and Israel remain skeptical of Hezbollah’s disarmament compliance, with some US lawmakers questioning the Lebanese army’s stance on Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. This divergence underscores the complex geopolitical stakes and the difficulty of achieving lasting disarmament in Lebanon.
How we got here
Lebanon has been working to place all arms under state control following the 2024 US-brokered ceasefire that ended hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The Lebanese army has taken operational control of areas south of the Litani River, where Hezbollah was required to disarm and withdraw. Despite this, Israel continues to strike Lebanese territory, and Hezbollah remains entrenched in parts of southern Lebanon, refusing to disarm north of the Litani. International efforts, including France and the US, are supporting Lebanon's disarmament plans, which face regional and domestic resistance.
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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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