JERUSALEM/BEIRUT: Israel said Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah are far from sufficient after the Lebanese army declared that it had established operational control in the south, raising pressure on Lebanese leaders who fear Israel could escalate strikes. In line with US demands, the Lebanese government has been seeking to restrict the possession of arms to state control since the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah emerged badly weakened from a war with Israel in 2024.

Analysts believe Hezbollah will not accept the disarmament's second phase as long as Israel continues attacking Lebanon.

The army says it has met its goal of clearing the area of non-state weapons but Israel calls the move "insufficient".