Israel Ready to Reduce Forces in Lebanon if Beirut Acts on Hezbollah Disarmament
Israel has indicated it may reduce its military presence in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese Armed Forces take concrete steps to disarm the Iran-backed Shi’ite militant group Hezbollah. The announcement came on Monday from the Israeli prime minister’s office, following a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who is heavily involved in a plan to peacefully disarm Hezbollah and facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.
In a statement, Israel said, “If the Lebanese Armed Forces take the necessary steps to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction” of its military forces currently stationed in the area. However, the statement stopped short of confirming a full withdrawal from the five positions Israel still holds in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military has maintained a presence near the Lebanese border since a U.S.-backed ceasefire with Hezbollah was reached in November. Under that agreement, Israel was to pull its forces out within two months, with Lebanese forces taking control of the southern region — a longtime Hezbollah stronghold.
This month, Lebanon’s cabinet gave the army the mandate to develop a plan to establish state control over weapons by December, directly challenging Hezbollah, which has resisted disarmament calls. Israel described the Lebanese government’s decision as “momentous” and expressed readiness to support Lebanon’s efforts to disarm the militant group, though it did not specify what form that support would take.
U.S. special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, who also serves as ambassador to Turkey, has urged Israel to comply with the disarmament plan, which would require the Israeli military to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Despite the talks, Israeli forces have continued periodic airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah militants and weapons storage sites. Meanwhile, Palestinian factions in Lebanon recently surrendered some arms to the Lebanese armed forces as part of the broader disarmament initiative.
