The Lebanese army says it has completed the first phase of disarming Hezbollah in the south, as Israel continues to occupy border areas and questions the effort’s effectiveness.
BEIRUT: The Lebanese army announced it has completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah.
The operation covered the area between the Israeli border and the Litani River.
The army said it had “achieved the objectives of the first phase” and intends to extend the plan to the rest of Lebanon.
It now controls the area south of the Litani River, except for territory still occupied by Israel near the border.
Israel continues to occupy five strategic points despite a ceasefire requiring its withdrawal.
The Israeli army questions the effectiveness of the disarmament, accusing Hezbollah of seeking to rearm.
Under the ceasefire, Hezbollah must withdraw north of the Litani and have its military infrastructure dismantled.
The Lebanese army said operations will continue south of the river to clear unexploded ordnance and search for tunnels.
It added it will take measures to “permanently prevent armed groups from rebuilding their capabilities”.
Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal is scheduled to brief the government on the progress.
The government is under intense US pressure to disarm the Iran-backed group amid fears of Israeli escalation.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar praised the efforts but said they were “far from sufficient”.
A committee with US, French, Lebanese, Israeli and UN representatives is monitoring the ceasefire.
Hezbollah, weakened after a 2024 war with Israel, refuses to surrender its weapons in the rest of Lebanon.
