Beirut, January 26, 2024 — The Lebanese Army announced its plan to disarm armed groups has reached an advanced stage, signaling a critical, yet fragile, step toward asserting state control in the south of the country. The announcement comes amid ongoing Israeli strikes and skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of the effort.
Lebanese Army Claims Progress in Disarmament Plan
The Lebanese Army is working to confine weapons to legitimate forces, but faces challenges from ongoing Israeli activity and concerns about Hezbollah’s ability to rearm.
- The Lebanese Army says it has made significant progress in controlling territory south of the Litani River.
- The plan, initiated last August, aims to restrict weapons to state-sanctioned forces.
- Israel continues to launch strikes in southern Lebanon, questioning the effectiveness of the Lebanese Army’s efforts.
- The Lebanese government is scheduled to review the Army’s progress on Thursday amid mounting pressure.
The Army stated in a release that it has effectively extended practical control over lands in the southern sector, with the exception of areas still under Israeli occupation. This progress follows a ceasefire in November 2024 that ended a year-long conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
What is the goal of the Lebanese Army’s disarmament plan? The Lebanese Army’s plan aims to restrict weapons to legitimate forces, preventing armed groups from rebuilding their capabilities and establishing full state authority throughout the country.
Last August, the Lebanese government approved a plan to confine weapons to legitimate forces. The Army was tasked with implementing the plan, initially focusing on the region south of the Litani River, with a completion target of the end of 2025. Since then, the Army has been dismantling facilities and tunnels linked to Hezbollah and confiscating weapons.
However, Israel, which continues to conduct strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, has expressed doubts about the Army’s efforts, accusing Hezbollah of replenishing its military resources. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel was expected to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, but it maintains a presence in five strategically important locations.
The Army’s statement also highlighted the negative impact of ongoing Israeli attacks and the occupation of Lebanese territory on its ability to complete its mission. It emphasized the need to extend state authority and confine weapons exclusively to the armed forces.
The Lebanese government is scheduled to convene on Thursday to receive an update from Army Commander Rudolf Heikal on the progress of the plan. This meeting comes amid increasing American pressure and concerns about a potential escalation of Israeli operations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Sunday that the Lebanese government and Army have made efforts to disarm Hezbollah, but characterized those efforts as “far from sufficient.”
