Washington has dispatched new messages to Lebanon that the country must uphold its commitment to disarm Hezbollah by the end of November, an ultimatum given to end the presence of the party’s arms south of the Litani River.
The US message came ahead of the Lebanese army’s second report it is expected to deliver to the Cabinet on Thursday on the matter.
Lebanon’s army commander Rodolphe Haykal will deliver his second monthly report to the Cabinet detailing the progress achieved with a plan drafted in September to bring all weapons under state control.
Ministrial sources told Asharq Al-Awsat the report is supposed to include the army’s measures regarding disarming Hezbollah in south of the Litan River, preventing its proliferation to other areas in Lebanon, in addition to other security measures along the border with Syria and in the Palestinian refugee camps.
The report will also detail the Israeli hurdles preventing an accurate and timely implementation of the plan, particularly its adamant position to occupy five strategic points in south Lebanon.
American Pressure
According to the army’s plan, after a government decree in August to disarm the group by the end of the year, the first phase of disarming Hezbollah focuses on removing weapons and dismantling positions south of the Litani River, with operations beginning in November 2025.
This phase also includes increased army checkpoints nationwide and a halt to weapons movement.
However, Lebanese authorities say that Israel’s occupation of the five border towns prevent the army from carrying out its mission and dismantling Hezbollah’s weapons. According to the sources, the United States is pressuring Lebanon to complete the plan on time.
The US pressure was evident in remarks made by US envoy Tom Barrack on Israel’s Channel 13. Barrack has reportedly given the Lebanese Army a deadline until the end of November to take action on Hezbollah's weapons.
The envoy warned that if no change occurs, Israel would have the green light to launch attacks, with the United States understanding such steps.
The report added that the Israeli military is preparing for a potential series of confrontations that could last several days against Hezbollah, as Tel Aviv escalates threats to resume airstrikes in an effort to pressure the Lebanese government into disarming the militant group.
