Israel may pull back from Lebanon if Hezbollah disarms: Netanyahu

Earlier this month, Lebanon’s cabinet approved the objectives of a US-drafted framework to dismantle Hezbollah’s military arsenal, Reuters reported. The proposal, submitted by US envoy Tom Barrack, lays out the most detailed roadmap yet for reducing the power of the Iran-backed faction and other armed groups.

Netanyahu’s office said Israel would coordinate any potential troop reductions with a US-led security mechanism if the Lebanese Army began implementing the plan, Reuters added. The move has exposed sharp political divisions inside Lebanon where Hezbollah and its allies argue that disarmament would weaken national defence and serve Israeli interests.

Hezbollah sets conditions

Hezbollah leaders have repeatedly rejected disarmament demands.

Since the US-brokered ceasefire that ended a 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war in November, the group has insisted it will not discuss giving up its weapons until Israel withdraws from five disputed hills along the border and halts near-daily airstrikes, which Lebanese health officials say have killed or wounded hundreds, mostly Hezbollah fighters, according to AP.

Although Hezbollah has pulled many of its fighters and weapons from areas south of the Litani River, disagreements remain over whether the ceasefire requires disarmament of its forces further north. Hezbollah says the accord applies only south of the river while Israel and the US maintain it covers the entire country.

The conflict, which began a day after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has left more than 4,000 people dead and caused an estimated $11 billion in damage, AP noted. Parts of Lebanon were left in ruins, and Hezbollah lost several senior political and military leaders, weakening its command structure.

Israel continues to accuse the group of trying to rebuild its military capabilities while Hezbollah says it retains the right to resist Israeli incursions. 

(With inputs from AP, Reuters)

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