**BEIRUT** – In a significant development that signals a shift in regional power dynamics, the Lebanese army has formally announced its assumption of security responsibilities in the strategically vital region of southern Lebanon, an area long considered a bastion of Hezbollah's influence. This move is reportedly the cornerstone of a government-backed initiative aimed at disarming non-state armed groups, a development that follows a recent ceasefire agreement brokered in November 2024. While the Lebanese authorities have declared the first phase of this plan effectively realised, international observers, particularly from Israel and the United States, remain cautiously skeptical about the thoroughness of the disarmament process.
For decades, the territory south of the Litani River, a swathe of land approximately 30 kilometres from the Israeli border, has been under the de facto control of Hezbollah. The Lebanese army's assertion of authority represents a concerted effort by the Lebanese government to re-establish state sovereignty and address international concerns regarding the presence of heavily armed non-state actors. The initiative aims to systematically remove unauthorised weaponry and personnel from the area, a directive that has been met with a mixed reception.
The announcement comes amidst heightened fears of an escalation of Israel's military campaign, which has targeted Hezbollah positions with increased intensity in recent months. International pressure, notably from the United States, has reportedly intensified on Beirut to curb Hezbollah's military capabilities and dismantle its extensive infrastructure. Intelligence suggests that Hezbollah, with alleged support from Iran, has been actively engaged in rearming and rebuilding its operational capacity, a claim that has fuelled Israeli anxieties and prompted retaliatory actions.
According to official statements from the Lebanese army, infrastructure previously associated with Hezbollah has been dismantled, and the organisation itself has indicated its adherence to the ceasefire by withdrawing its fighters from designated areas. The army has declared its initial objectives achieved in a "tangible and effective manner." However, the task remains far from complete, with significant work still required to clear unexploded ordnance and address the extensive network of tunnels that crisscross the region.
Despite these pronouncements, officials in Israel have expressed considerable doubt regarding the efficacy of the disarmament efforts. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement acknowledging the development as "an encouraging beginning, but they are far from sufficient," citing ongoing concerns about Hezbollah's continued attempts to rearm and reconstitute its "terror infrastructure" with Iranian backing. Reports suggest that Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously secured authorization from US President Donald Trump to escalate military action against Hezbollah should disarmament efforts prove inadequate.
The Lebanese government, however, contests these Israeli claims, characterising ongoing Israeli attacks and the occupation of several positions in southern Lebanon as violations of the ceasefire that actively hinder the army's own disarmament initiatives. The complex geopolitical landscape, further complicated by the presence of Palestinian factions including Hamas in the wider region, underscores the precarious nature of security in southern Lebanon. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining whether the Lebanese army can truly assert uncontested control and achieve a lasting de-escalation, or if the region will remain a flashpoint for renewed conflict.