IDF: Only Lebanon Can Disarm Hezbollah
Source: haaretz.com
TL;DR
- IDF officials say only Lebanon can disarm Hezbollah, as the group has over 150,000 rockets aimed at Israel.
- Israel lacks the ground forces needed for a full invasion to eliminate Hezbollah's arsenal.
- A U.S.-backed ceasefire requires Hezbollah's withdrawal north of the Litani River, but enforcement remains uncertain.
- Disarmament demands a political process led by Lebanon's government, not military action alone.
The story at a glance
IDF officials assess that fully disarming Hezbollah is impossible without Lebanon's active involvement, amid fragile ceasefire talks. This view emerges as Israel weighs options post a year of intense border clashes.
Key moments & milestones
- October 2023: Hezbollah begins rocket barrages into Israel in support of Hamas after the October 7 attack.
- September 2024: Israel launches major ground operation into southern Lebanon, advancing up to 8 km.
- November 2024: U.S.-brokered ceasefire takes effect, mandating Hezbollah's retreat north of the Litani River.
- Recent weeks: Israel eliminates Hezbollah's top leadership, including Hassan Nasrallah, but refrains from deeper incursion.
- Ongoing: Ceasefire monitoring by UNIFIL exposes gaps in enforcement.
Signature highlights
- Hezbollah's arsenal includes 150,000-200,000 rockets and missiles, mostly stored north of the Litani, beyond Israel's current reach without a massive ground offensive.
- IDF Chief Eyal Zamir stated Israel has no intention of a "comprehensive conquest" of south Lebanon due to insufficient forces.
- Lebanon's army, weakened and politicized, cannot confront Hezbollah alone; full disarmament requires a national political consensus.
- U.S. plan envisions Lebanese forces deploying south, but Hezbollah has only partially withdrawn precision weapons.
Key quotes
"Disarming Hezbollah can only be done by Lebanon."
- IDF officials
"We are not planning to conquer all of southern Lebanon."
- IDF Chief Eyal Zamir
Why it matters
This underscores Israel's strategic limits against Hezbollah, shifting focus to diplomatic pressure on Lebanon for internal disarmament. Failure risks renewed escalation, destabilizing the region further. Watch for Lebanese government moves on national dialogue and UNIFIL's role in verifying compliance by mid-2025.