US Urges Lebanon to Act on Hezbollah Disarmament, Israel Signals Step-by-Step Response

TDT | Beirut

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The United States has called on Lebanese authorities to turn their decision to disarm Hezbollah into action, with Israeli officials indicating they would respond in kind to any concrete steps taken by Beirut.

Speaking at Lebanon’s presidential palace in Baabda on Tuesday, US envoy Morgan Ortagus said, “We’re encouraged by the historic decision made by the government a few weeks ago, but now it’s not about words—it’s about action.” Her remarks followed meetings between a US delegation and President Michel Aoun.

Ortagus highlighted that Israel is ready to match Lebanon’s efforts gradually. “They are willing to go step by step with this government. Every step that the Lebanese government takes, we will encourage Israel to make the same step,” she said.

US envoy Tom Barrack, part of the delegation, added that the Lebanese army and government are expected to present a detailed plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the month. He noted that Israel, which suffered significant losses in last year’s conflict with the Iran-backed group, would respond with security measures and troop withdrawals once it sees a concrete plan.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently proposed a “phased” withdrawal of remaining Israeli troops from Lebanon if Beirut follows through on disarming Hezbollah.

Hezbollah, led by Naim Qassem, has consistently refused to give up its weapons. Under US pressure and concerns of renewed Israeli military action, the Lebanese government this month tasked its army with preparing a disarmament plan to be completed by year-end.

This move is part of a US-brokered November ceasefire that ended over a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. The agreement calls for Hezbollah fighters to redeploy north of the Litani River, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border, with Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers taking their place. It also requires Israel to withdraw fully from five strategic positions it currently occupies in Lebanon.