The latest
The United States, Israel, and Lebanon are moving ahead with a phased plan to transfer security control in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces, paving the way for the gradual disarmament of Hezbollah by specially trained military units backed by Washington, while Israel remains the fallback option if the effort fails, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Details
- U.S. strategy: The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington is training and equipping selected Lebanese military units to pursue Hezbollah fighters and seize their weapons, using force if necessary.
- Security transition: Initial operations have begun to hand control of three southern Lebanese villages to the Lebanese army after Lebanese and Israeli officials agreed in Rome on a framework for a phased transfer of security responsibilities.
- Syrian role: The newspaper said President Donald Trump has floated the idea that Syria’s new government under Ahmed al-Sharaa could help sever Hezbollah’s key supply routes through Syrian territory.
- Security challenges: U.S. officials acknowledge that the Lebanese army faces serious obstacles, including limited resources, suspected Hezbollah sympathizers within its ranks, and fears that direct confrontation with the group could fracture the military.
- Hezbollah response: Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah warned that if U.S.-backed Lebanese forces move against the group, “We will fight them as we fight the Israeli army.”
Background
The initiative builds on the ceasefire agreement that took effect in late 2024, which calls for an expanded Lebanese army presence south of the Litani River and implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. Washington and Israel argue that all weapons should ultimately be under state control. The United States has long supported the Lebanese Armed Forces as the country’s legitimate national security institution, while Lebanon’s government continues to affirm its commitment to placing all arms under state authority despite deep political divisions over how to achieve that goal.
Between the lines
The proposal marks a shift in Washington’s approach. Rather than relying primarily on Israeli military pressure, the U.S. is attempting to build a Lebanese force capable of taking on the mission itself. Its success, however, depends on Lebanon’s ability to avoid military fragmentation, manage Hezbollah’s response, and complete Israel’s withdrawal from remaining occupied positions.
What to watch
Attention will focus on the expansion of Lebanese army deployments across southern Lebanon, the pace of U.S.-Lebanese security cooperation, any timetable for a full Israeli withdrawal, and whether Beirut takes concrete steps toward implementing a broader disarmament strategy.
