Lebanon: Hezbollah Disarmament Will Happen "Within Days"

The first phase of efforts to confiscate weapons from Hezbollah south of the Litani River is expected to conclude within days, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Saturday, as tensions remain high along Lebanon’s border regions and doubts persist over whether the Iran-backed terrorist group is complying with disarmament commitments.

Salam’s comments came amid continued Israeli accusations that Hezbollah has ignored repeated calls to disarm and has violated the terms of a ceasefire agreed in November 2024. Under that truce, Lebanon committed to removing Hezbollah weapons from areas south of the Litani River, a long-standing international demand aimed at reducing the threat to northern Israel.

Israel has continued to carry out strikes against Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon in recent weeks, while publicly urging the Lebanese government to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire. Israeli officials have warned that Israel will act “as necessary” if Beirut fails to rein in the terrorist group and dismantle its military infrastructure near the border.

International pressure on Lebanon has also intensified. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Washington hopes ongoing talks between Lebanese authorities and Israel will help stabilize the situation and lead to the full disarmament of Hezbollah. He described a strong and effective Lebanese government as essential to preventing further conflict.

Earlier in the week, senior officials from the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia met in Paris with the head of the Lebanese army to discuss a roadmap for implementing Hezbollah’s disarmament. The talks focused on establishing a practical mechanism for enforcing the ceasefire terms and strengthening the authority of the Lebanese state over armed groups.

The ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024 explicitly requires Hezbollah, which is backed and armed by Iran, to relinquish its weapons starting in areas adjacent to Israel. While Lebanese officials say progress is being made, Israel and its allies remain skeptical, citing Hezbollah’s history of retaining arms and operating independently of the Lebanese government.

Whether the current disarmament phase will lead to meaningful change on the ground remains an open question, as the days ahead are likely to test both Lebanese political will and international patience.