By Micah Jonah
January 9, 2026
The Lebanese army says it has completed the first phase of its plan to bring all non state weaponry in southern Lebanon under government control, declaring that it has established a state monopoly on arms in an “effective and tangible way.”
In a statement, the military said it now controls the area south of the Litani River – up to the Israeli border, with the exception of territories and positions still occupied by Israeli forces. The army did not specifically mention Hezbollah in its announcement.
The development comes amid growing pressure from the United States and Israel on Beirut to disarm Hezbollah, even as Israeli forces continue air and ground strikes across Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in 2024.
The army acknowledged that further work remains, including the clearance of unexploded ordnance and underground tunnels in the area. It added that the completion of phase one means no armed group will be able to launch attacks from southern Lebanon.
Army Commander, Rodolphe Haykal is expected to brief the government on the progress made, as Lebanon’s cabinet prepares to discuss moving to phase two of the plan. The next phase would involve disarming non state armed groups in a broader zone, extending north of the Litani River toward the Awali River.
Israel has described Lebanon’s efforts as encouraging but insufficient, insisting that Hezbollah must be fully disarmed under the ceasefire terms. Meanwhile, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon has said there is no evidence that Hezbollah has rebuilt its military infrastructure.
The US brokered ceasefire ended more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, but both sides continue to accuse each other of violations, with Israeli forces still occupying several positions in southern Lebanon.
