Israel Rejects Lebanon’s Hezbollah Disarmament Claims

Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office responded today to claims by Lebanon’s government and army that Hezbollah has been disarmed south of the Litani River, saying the efforts fall far short of ceasefire requirements and leave the terror group’s military capabilities intact.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office of Israel, the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States clearly requires the full disarmament of Hezbollah. “Efforts made toward this end by the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces are an encouraging beginning, but they are far from sufficient, as evidenced by Hezbollah's efforts to rearm and rebuild its terror infrastructure with Iranian support,” the statement said.

The issue is central to Israel’s security assessment of the northern border. The agreement stipulates that only Lebanon’s state security forces may bear arms in the area south of the Litani River, a zone that has long served as a launchpad for Hezbollah attacks.

Earlier today, the Lebanese Armed Forces announced that it had reached an advanced stage in consolidating weapons in southern Lebanon and claimed it had achieved operational control south of the Litani River, outside areas under Israeli control. The army said it was committed to ensuring that no armed actors could again use the border region as a staging ground for attacks.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry also rejected that assessment, arguing that Lebanese declarations do not reflect conditions on the ground. “Despite the statements published today by Lebanon, the facts show that extensive Hezbollah infrastructure still exists south of the Litani River. The goal of disarming Hezbollah is far from being achieved,” the ministry said.

To support its claims, the Foreign Ministry released a video it described as documenting Hezbollah weapons depots, terror infrastructure, and buildings used by the organization in southern Lebanon. The ministry said the footage underscores that Hezbollah’s military presence remains largely intact despite Lebanese assertions of full disarmament.

Israel also acknowledged some Lebanese actions while sharply limiting their significance. “Israel acknowledges the decision of the Lebanese government to address the disarmament of Hezbollah, and some of the efforts made by Lebanese security forces, but these efforts remain limited,” the statement said.

A central Israeli concern is Hezbollah’s continued rearmament, which Jerusalem attributes to Iranian backing. “Hezbollah continues to rearm with Iranian support,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding that “Hezbollah is rearming faster than it is being disarmed.” The statement noted that Iran’s foreign minister landed in Lebanon today, a development Israel views as reinforcing Tehran’s influence over the terror group.

The Foreign Ministry further accused elements within Lebanon’s security establishment of cooperation with Hezbollah. “It is regrettable that there are cases of cooperation between the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah,” the statement said. Israel argued that ongoing Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets do not obstruct Lebanese disarmament efforts but instead support them by dismantling the group’s capabilities.