BEIRUT: Lebanon government on Monday stated that its army would require at least four months to implement the second phase of a military plan aimed at disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah in the country’s south.
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The government committed last year to disarm Hezbollah, which was weakened during a recent conflict with Israel, and tasked the Lebanese Armed Forces with devising a phased strategy. The first phase, covering the area between the Litani River and the Israeli border, has reportedly been completed.
The second phase focuses on the territory between the Litani and Awali rivers, roughly 40 kilometers south of Beirut. Information Minister Paul Morcos told reporters after a cabinet session that the army leadership had presented the plan for the second stage, noting that the four-month timeframe could be extended depending on “available capabilities, Israeli attacks, and hindrances on the ground.”
🇱🇧 | 🇮🇱 As the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approaches its expiration in December 2026, internal political discourse warns of a potential “security vacuum” in the south, raising fears of instability and the possible resurgence of open conflict.… pic.twitter.com/VilXVzg1J6
— Observe Lebanon (@ObserveLebanon) February 17, 2026
Israel, which accuses Hezbollah of rearming, has criticized Lebanon’s progress as insufficient and has continued targeted strikes despite a ceasefire in November 2024 intended to end over a year of hostilities. Israel also maintains troops in strategic areas of southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has refused to relinquish weapons north of the Litani River.
Monday’s developments came as Lebanese health authorities reported that Israeli strikes on the south killed two people, with the Israeli military claiming the targets were Hezbollah operatives.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem condemned the government’s disarmament efforts, calling them a “grave sin” that plays into Israel’s objectives. In a televised address, he urged the authorities to halt all measures to restrict weapons and blamed successive concessions for Israel’s ongoing attacks.
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The disarmament plan, seen as a sensitive and politically charged initiative, underscores the delicate balance in Lebanon between internal security, Hezbollah’s entrenched influence, and pressures from Israel and the international community.