The first phase of a plan to disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon has been completed, the country's army said Thursday.
Under heavy U.S. pressure and amid fears of expanded Israeli strikes, Lebanon has committed to disarming the Iran-backed armed group, which was badly weakened after more than a year of hostilities, including two months of all-out war that ended with a November 2024 cease-fire.
Despite the truce, Israel has kept up regular strikes in Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites and operatives and has maintained troops in five south Lebanon areas it deems strategic, accusing the group of rearming.
Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons.
In a statement, Lebanon's army said it had "achieved the objectives of the first phase" of its plan, covering the area south of the Litani River – approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border – with the intention of extending it to the rest of the country.
