The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced on Thursday the official end of the first phase of the weapons control plan, which aimed to bring all weapons south of the Litani River under state control by the end of 2025.
According to the statement, the first phase focused on “expanding the Army’s operational presence, securing vital areas, and establishing operational control over territories that have come under its authority in the sector south of the Litani River.”
The army indicated that work in the area south of the Litani is still ongoing until the clearance of unexploded ordnance and tunnels is completed, as well as the implementation of the requests for measures to be taken, in order to consolidate control in the long term and prevent any reconstitution of the capabilities of the armed groups.
In addition, the Army Command will carry out a global assessment of the first phase of the "Homeland Shield" plan, which will serve as a basis for defining the process of the following phases.
Notably, the statement added, “the delay in the arrival of the promised military capabilities for the Army constitutes an influential factor in the pace of task execution.”
President Aoun Responds
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun voiced full support for the statement issued by the Lebanese Army Command, reaffirming the state’s unified backing of the armed forces in their mission to extend state authority and restore sovereignty across all Lebanese territory, particularly in the south.
Aoun stressed that LAF’s deployment south of the Litani River is part of a national decision grounded in the constitution, state resolutions, and international commitments, aimed at consolidating the state’s monopoly on weapons and ensuring that decisions of war and peace rest solely with constitutional institutions.
He also called for full Israeli withdrawal, respect for the cessation of hostilities, and the release of detainees to enable displaced civilians to return and launch reconstruction efforts.
In addition, the President reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement, urging the international community to support the Lebanese state and army, prevent the flow of weapons to any party other than the armed forces, and ensure an end to violations, while reiterating confidence in the army and praising the resilience of southern residents.
Prime Minister Netanyahu Responds
The office of the Israeli Prime Minister recognized progress on the disarmament issue, but claimed the efforts made by the LAF are not “sufficient.”
In a statement released on X, “efforts made toward this end by the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces are an encouraging beginning, but they are far from sufficient, as evidenced by Hezbollah's efforts to rearm and rebuild its terror infrastructure with Iranian support.”
The statement added that the ceasefire agreement negotiated by the United States between Israel and Lebanon clearly stipulates that Hezbollah must be completely disarmed, not only south of the Litani river.
Second Phase
The second phase involves operations expanding north of the Litani River up to the Awali River north of the city of Saida, targeted dismantling of non-state military infrastructure, and the collection and storage of heavier weapons.
Commander of the LAF General Rodolph Haykal previously said the army is carefully evaluating and planning the second phase while taking into account various conditions and constraints.
The state’s ability to extend the plan will face its most serious test in the second phase. Several Lebanese political parties view the next phase as a test not only of Hezbollah but also of the state’s seriousness in asserting authority nationwide.
Reports of Imminent Escalation
Against this backdrop, Israeli media has indicated that Israel is preparing for an operation against Hezbollah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told cabinet ministers that U.S. President Donald Trump has given the “green light” for a fresh Israeli offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Kan news reported. The report highlighted that both Jerusalem and Washington are unhappy with the Lebanese government’s efforts to tackle the Hezbollah threat.
In parallel, Israel’s Maariv newspaper reported that LAF Commander General Haykal is promoting what it described as an “inaccurate” narrative, as Israel prepares for a potential escalation involving Lebanon and the international community.
According to the report, Israel plans to release photographs and video footage gathered by military intelligence and the Northern Command, allegedly documenting Hezbollah weapons and missile storage sites, as well as warehouses and buildings located north of the Litani River.
Israeli military sources cited by Maariv said internal assessments suggest Israel may ultimately be compelled to launch a large-scale military operation inside Lebanese territory, noting that operational plans have already been finalized, with their execution contingent on a political decision.
Reports of escalation and doubts of the LAF’s resolve were compounded by the recent scandal involving Lebanese soldiers. On Thursday, two Lebanese soldiers were arrested after photos leaked on social media showing one of the soldiers posing inside a Hezbollah arms cache, according to an LAF source.
The images, which began circulating online a few days ago, show a soldier standing in front of three old Soviet-made Tupolev Tu-143 Reys military reconnaissance drones inside a large, several-meter-high hangar.
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