The statement said the military had established the state’s monopoly on arms in an ‘effective and tangible way’, without mentioning Hezbollah.
The Lebanese Army has announced the completion of its first phase Plan To bring under its control all non-state armed forces in the south of the country, occupying the area between the Litani River and the Israeli border.
In a statement Thursday, the military said it had established the kingdom’s monopoly on arms in the south “in an effective and tangible way,” without specifically mentioning Hezbollah.
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The army now controls the area south of the Litani River, located about 30km (19 miles) from the border, “with the exception of territory and positions held by Israel”, the statement said.
The announcement comes amid increasing pressure from the United States and Israel on Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, while Israel Extends the strike 2024 though a ceasefire was agreed across Lebanon.
The Lebanese army, which has set a self-imposed deadline of the end of 2025 to complete the first part of a multi-phase plan to disarm all non-state groups, warned that more work is needed to clear the area of unexploded ordnance and tunnels.
A Lebanese security source told Reuters news agency that the statement indicated that no group would be able to launch attacks from southern Lebanon.
Army Commander Rodolphe Haykel will brief the government on the progress on Thursday afternoon.
Lebanon’s cabinet is expected to discuss moving to the second phase of the plan, which calls for the disarmament of non-state armed groups from an area stretching 40km (25 miles) north of Litani to the Awli River.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday praised the efforts of the Lebanese government and army but added that they were “far enough”.
Israelwho has killed More than 300 people After a November 2024 ceasefire in Lebanon, with at least 127 civilians, it previously said Hezbollah was rebuilding its military capabilities “faster than the army is destroying (them)”.
The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon has said there is “no evidence” that Hezbollah’s infrastructure has been rebuilt.
Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khoder said: “Israel is threatening to expand … if disarmament does not occur, daily attacks if the Lebanese government does not rein in Hezbollah.”
10,000 ceasefire violations by Israel
A US-brokered ceasefire ended more than a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which resulted in Israeli attacks that severely weakened the armed group. Since then, the sides have alleged violations.
The agreement required Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon, but continued to occupy five points in violation of its terms.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). documentation More than 10,000 ceasefire violations by Israel – 7,500 in the country’s airspace and 2,500 on the ground.
According to the agreement, Hezbollah was to withdraw its soldiers and weapons from south of the Litani River. The group has repeatedly rejected calls for disarmament, saying Israel has not lived up to its side of the deal.
Al Jazeera’s Khoder pointed out that Hezbollah “didn’t stand in their (Lebanese army’s) way” during the first phase of the disarmament plan, but is now “refusing to cooperate” with plans to move to the second phase involving the area north of the Litani River.
A committee comprising representatives of the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel and the United Nations is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire.
Just this week, Israel did more Attacks in South Lebanon Before the meeting of the Armistice Committee.