LEBANON’S army said Thursday that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah in south Lebanon, while Israel called the efforts encouraging but “far from sufficient”.
Under heavy US pressure and amid fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming the Iran-backed militant group, which was badly weakened after more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war that ended with a November 2024 ceasefire.
Despite the truce, Israel has kept up regular strikes in Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives, and has maintained troops in five south Lebanon areas it deems strategic, accusing the group of rearming.
Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons.
In a statement, Lebanon’s army said it had “achieved the objectives of the first phase” of its plan, covering the area south of the Litani River — around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border — with the intention to extend it to the rest of the country. — AFP
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