Hezbollah

Disarming Hezbollah: The Lebanese Army Challenge

As Lebanon slowly recovers from the war between Hezbollah and Israel, the Lebanese Army faces a critical mission: extending state sovereignty across the entire country by establishing a monopoly on arms. This requires disarming the Iran-backed militia, a historic and high-risk operation that could redefine both the army’s role and the ...

The Lebanese Army Reinforces Presence Amid Hezbollah Support Rally

The Lebanese army intensified its presence on Thursday around the airport – a strategic location near the main access roads leading to the southern suburbs – and in southern Lebanon, following an internal directive that called for the “strict enforcement of the document issued on September 24, 2024, regarding raising the readiness rate to ...

Hezbollah’s Weapons: A Leaky Umbrella

On Friday, the Council of Ministers is, in principle and unless the session is postponed, scheduled to examine the army's plan to disarm Hezbollah. The key question is: Will there be a timeline or not? Without one, Hezbollah would gain time and save face while waiting to see how negotiations between Iran and the United States unfold. For everyone ...

Israel Carries Out a Series of Strikes in Southern Lebanon

The number of Israeli raids targeting villages in southern Lebanon has risen to more than 15 as of late Wednesday night. Around 10:00 p.m., a series of strikes hit the towns of Adloun and Ansariyah, with additional reports of heavy aerial activity in the region. According to the Ministry of Health on Thursday morning, 4 people were killed and 17 ...

Ofek 19, the New Israeli Spy Satellite

Israel announced on Wednesday that it had launched a new spy satellite into orbit, called Ofek 19. According to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, “This is also a message to all our enemies, wherever they may be: we are watching you constantly and under all circumstances.” For his part, Israeli President Isaac Herzog declared that “Israel ...

Hezbollah-Amal Maneuver Ahead of Cabinet Session

Hezbollah and Amal are hedging ahead of Friday’s Cabinet session, alternating between pledging attendance and claiming indecision. Their demands range from adding agenda items beyond the army’s weapons plan to entirely removing it and blocking any vote. Political sources were surprised by Speaker Nabih Berri’s insistence on expanding the ...

Lebanese Army Banners Replace Those of Hezbollah Along Airport Road

A noticeable shift has taken place along Beirut’s airport road, where banners declaring “We are all with the army” have replaced posters of Hezbollah and Iranian leaders that long dominated the route. The change comes as the Lebanese government actively implements a disarmament plan targeting Hezbollah and Palestinian factions in refugee ...

Hezbollah’s Rickety Rifles: From Strength to Mockery

In the wake of the recent war with Israel, Hezbollah has entered a new phase, prompting a shift in many of its long-held convictions, most notably its attachment to weapons as a bargaining chip. What was once upheld as a symbol of dignity and pride, described by former Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah as a divine mission, is now the subject of ...

Diplomatic Maneuvering and Political Uncertainty: Lebanon Under International Pressure

Lebanon is preparing to host two senior envoys in the coming days as its government readies a crucial Cabinet session on September 5. French special envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and US diplomat Morgan Ortagus return to Beirut to revive talks on security, disarmament and reconstruction. Appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron, Le Drian is ...

Lebanon and Syria to Form Committees to Address Prisoners, Missing Persons, and Border Issues

Lebanon and Syria are set to establish two joint committees to tackle three major issues affecting relations between the two countries, judicial and security officials said, according to the Associated Press. The committees will focus on the fate of nearly 2,000 Syrian prisoners currently held in Lebanese prisons, locating Lebanese citizens who ...

Post-Berri Speech: Would Iran Use Hezbollah’s Weapons in Nuke Negotiations?

Without ceremony or pomp, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri buried the American proposal brought to Lebanon by envoy Tom Barrack, a plan already endorsed by the Lebanese government. In a televised address marking the 47th anniversary of Imam Musa al-Sadr’s disappearance with his two companions, Berri declared, “We are open to ...

Abbas Determined to Withdraw All Palestinian Weapons from Lebanon

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that his leadership is determined to withdraw all Palestinian weapons from Lebanon, calling the step essential to the country’s security and sovereignty. In an interview with Al-Arabiya, Abbas confirmed that he had reached an understanding with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on carrying out the ...