Lebanon announces completion of second phase of Hezbollah disarmament will take four months.
In a complex geopolitical landscape marked by ongoing tensions, Lebanon’s government has announced a comprehensive military plan for disarming Hezbollah, a group that has been pivotal in the region’s dynamics. As international pressures mount, particularly from the United States and Israel, the Lebanese military prepares to undertake what has been described as a significant challenge requiring at least four months for completion. This development not only underscores Lebanon’s ongoing struggle for stability but also reflects the intricate power balances that define relationships in the Middle East.
Lebanon’s Minister of Information, Paul Morcos, stated on Monday that the military requires a minimum of four months to advance the second phase of its initiative to disarm Hezbollah’s arsenals situated in the southern region of the country. This announcement comes amidst escalating pressure from the United States and Israel to neutralize Hezbollah, compounded by frequent Israeli military strikes on Lebanese territory.
These airstrikes persist even after Israel entered a US-brokered ceasefire agreement in 2024, intended to terminate over a year of hostilities with Hezbollah. The prolonged conflict substantially weakened the Lebanese militia, leading to significant leadership losses. As part of the ceasefire arrangement, Lebanon committed to dismantling Hezbollah’s arsenal and directed its military to devise a comprehensive plan for execution.
Last month, Lebanese military officials announced the successful completion of the initial phase of a five-stage disarmament plan aimed at the area between the Litani River and the Israeli border. The second phase targets the territory between the Litani and Awali rivers, approximately 40 kilometers south of Beirut. Morcos indicated during a news briefing that the military’s presentation on this second phase had been acknowledged by the cabinet.
According to Morcos, the timeframe for the second phase is four months, though this may be extended based on available resources and possible hindrances posed by Israeli operations. Hezbollah, for its part, has dismissed calls for disarmament as part of a broader US-Israeli agenda and refuses to surrender its weapons north of the Litani River, interpreting the ceasefire to be applicable only to areas south of this critical waterway.
Following the cabinet meeting, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, condemned the government’s focus on disarming, labeling it a “grave sin” and asserting that such actions serve to advance Israeli aggression in the region. Qassem argued for a cessation of efforts to restrict Hezbollah’s weapons, suggesting that the continuous concessions made by the Lebanese government have contributed to Israel’s ongoing military actions.
In the backdrop, the Israeli military has intensified its incursions into southern Lebanon, with recent strikes resulting in casualties. Official statements from Israel confirm targeted operations aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah operatives working to reconstruct their infrastructure. Complaints lodged by Lebanese authorities with the United Nations detail more than 370 fatalities attributed to Israeli actions since the ceasefire, alongside reports of over 10,000 military incursions documented since the ceasefire agreement.
Lebanese officials are urging the international community to intervene, calling upon the UN Security Council to facilitate an end to Israeli hostilities and enforce a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. The country’s complaint highlights over 2,036 violations of its sovereignty by Israel during just the last three months of 2025. This situation illustrates the complex interplay of regional dynamics and the challenges Lebanon faces as it navigates pressures both from within and outside its borders.
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