Israeli Media Questions Lebanese Army's Disarmament Claims Amid Rising Tensions with Hezbollah
January 8, 202692 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth” published a report today, Thursday, highlighting what it termed the **“Lebanese Deception”** regarding the status of Hezbollah's weapons. The article raises doubts about whether the Lebanese army has genuinely disarmed in southern Lebanon or if it has merely implemented formal procedures that could lead to further conflict.
The report notes that the Lebanese army has claimed to have removed Hezbollah's weapons from most areas in southern Lebanon, except for certain regions it describes as “under Israeli occupation.” Additionally, the army has stated that it is actively dismantling tunnels and clearing unexploded ordnance.
However, the newspaper expressed skepticism about this narrative, suggesting that the Israeli military has observed a pattern where the Lebanese army arrives at specified locations but fails to destroy the weapons. Instead, it reportedly confiscates and stores them in warehouses as a temporary measure against Hezbollah, rather than fully eliminating the threat.
Israeli Concerns and Anticipated Actions
According to the report, while Tel Aviv expected the Lebanese army's announcement, it does not accept the assertion that the area south of the Litani River has been effectively disarmed. The article also points out that Palestinian groups, including Hamas, continue to operate in the region, despite the Lebanese army's claims of having control over the weapons.
“Yedioth Ahronoth” cited Israeli military assessments indicating that Hezbollah retains combat capabilities south of the Litani River, noting that the Lebanese army's actions have been slow and incomplete, even in areas designated for weapon collection.
Potential for Israeli Military Action
Given these developments, the newspaper suggested that an Israeli military operation aimed at curbing Hezbollah's influence is increasingly likely, with indications of American support for such actions. The report anticipates that any forthcoming Israeli operation would target Hezbollah's weapon depots and production facilities within Lebanon, which could escalate tensions on the northern front.
