On Friday, the Israeli military launched air strikes across several areas of Lebanon, targeting what it called “weapons storage facilities, a production site, and launch positions” used by Hezbollah. The attacks, which reached as far as the Bekaa Valley, were described by Israel as a response to Hezbollah’s “rehabilitation and military build-up”, a claim the group has consistently denied. Lebanese official media reported no immediate casualties, but the strikes show the tense atmosphere that persists despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.
Just a day earlier, the Lebanese Army announced it had “achieved the objectives of the first phase” of its plan to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River. The army now asserts operational control in that region, except for five Israeli military positions that remain inside Lebanese territory. While Israel called the progress “an encouraging start,” it insisted the efforts are “far from sufficient” and demanded Hezbollah’s full disarmament. Lebanese authorities, however, have blamed ongoing Israeli attacks and occupation for hampering their ability to extend state authority and confine weapons to legitimate forces.
Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected calls for disarmament, arguing that Israel has not abided by its side of the ceasefire. The group’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, stated recently, “To demand exclusive arms control while Israel is committing aggression…means that you are not working in Lebanon’s interest but rather in the interest of what Israel wants”. Hezbollah has largely allowed the Lebanese Army to operate south of the Litani but refuses to surrender its arsenal further north, citing continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese land and the need for a credible defense.
The United Nations peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) has documented thousands of ceasefire violations by Israel, including airspace and ground incursions. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Lebanese government’s “encouraging announcements” and called for the disarmament process to be pursued “resolutely”. He emphasized that “the ceasefire agreement must be strictly respected by all parties” and that an international conference would soon be held in Paris to support Lebanon’s sovereignty.
The situation remains at an impasse. Hezbollah, weakened by the 2024 war but still a significant force, views its weapons as a necessary deterrent against Israeli attacks and occupation. As long as Israeli strikes continue and troops remain on Lebanese soil, the group is unlikely to accept full disarmament. The Lebanese government, caught between international pressure and domestic resistance, faces the delicate task of advancing the disarmament plan while trying to halt Israeli violations, a challenge that will determine whether the this ceasefire in just name holds.