Israeli Media Raises Concerns Over Hezbollah's Armament in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli newspaper "Yediot Ahronot" published a report today highlighting what it terms the **"Lebanese Trap"** regarding Hezbollah's weaponry, questioning whether the Lebanese Army has genuinely disarmed the southern region or merely engaged in formal procedures that may lead to further escalation.

The report notes that the Lebanese Army has declared, as anticipated by Israel, that the southern part of Lebanon has been stripped of Hezbollah's arms, except for limited areas which are reportedly "under Israeli occupation." It added that the army is actively dismantling tunnels and clearing unexploded ordnance.

However, the Hebrew newspaper expressed skepticism about this narrative, asserting that the Israeli military has observed a recurring pattern where the Lebanese Army arrives at designated sites but confiscates rather than destroys the weapons, storing them as a "temporary solution" against Hezbollah instead of eliminating them entirely.

Israeli Doubts and Early Warnings

According to the report, while Tel Aviv anticipated the Lebanese Army's announcement, it does not accept the claim that the area south of the Litani River has been fully disarmed. The newspaper pointed out that Palestinian organizations, including Hamas, continue to operate in the region, despite the Lebanese Army's assertions of monopolizing arms there.

"Yediot Ahronot" cited Israeli military estimates suggesting that Hezbollah still possesses military capabilities south of the Litani River, noting that the Lebanese Army's response has been slow and partial, even at sites where it was instructed to collect weapons.

Prospects of an Israeli Operation

In light of these findings, the newspaper suggested that an Israeli military operation aimed at countering Hezbollah's strengthening is only a matter of time, indicating that such an operation would have U.S. support.

Future Israeli operations are expected to focus on Hezbollah's weapon depots and production facilities within Lebanese territory, a move that could signal a significant escalation on the northern front.