Israeli Media Questions Lebanese Army's Claims on Hezbollah Disarmament
January 8, 202691 VuesTemps de lecture: 2 minutes
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Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth” published a significant report today, describing what it calls **“the Lebanese deception”** regarding Hezbollah's armament. The report questions whether the Lebanese Army has genuinely disarmed southern Lebanon or merely engaged in formal measures that could lead to a new phase of escalation.
The newspaper noted that the Lebanese Army announced, as expected in Israel, that southern Lebanon had been disarmed of Hezbollah's presence, except for limited areas deemed “under Israeli occupation.” The statement also mentioned ongoing efforts to dismantle tunnels and remove unexploded munitions.
However, the Israeli publication challenged this narrative, asserting that the Israeli Army has observed a recurring pattern where the Lebanese Army visits designated sites but does not destroy the weaponry. Instead, it reportedly focuses on confiscating and storing the arms, viewing this as a “temporary solution” against Hezbollah rather than a complete disarmament.
Israeli Doubts and Early Warnings
According to the report, Tel Aviv anticipated the Lebanese Army's announcement but does not accept the claim that the area south of the Litani River has been genuinely disarmed. The newspaper highlighted that Palestinian organizations, including Hamas, continue to operate in the region despite the Lebanese Army's assertion of having a monopoly on armament there.
“Yedioth Ahronoth” reported Israeli military estimates indicating that Hezbollah still retains combat capabilities south of the Litani, with the pace of the Lebanese Army's operations being slow and partial, even at sites where it was instructed to gather weapons.
Israeli Military Action on the Horizon
In this context, the newspaper suggested that an Israeli military operation against Hezbollah's growing power is only a matter of time, emphasizing that this operation has the backing of the United States. The report indicated that any forthcoming Israeli operation would likely target Hezbollah's weapon depots and production facilities within Lebanese territory, a step that could signal a significant escalation on the northern front.
