January 8th, 2026 - Lebanon Claims Progress in Disarming Militant Groups Like Hezbollah

The Lebanese military announced Thursday that it had successfully completed the first phase of its plan to disarm militant groups in southern Lebanon, a critical part of the ceasefire deal brokered by the United States to end the war with Hezbollah. While the plan’s success is seen as a step forward, the disarmament efforts are under intense scrutiny, particularly from Israel and the U.S., who have raised concerns about Hezbollah’s remaining military presence and its potential rearming.

Despite the progress, Israel’s government expressed caution, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office calling the disarmament a positive start but noting it was insufficient. Israeli officials continue to accuse Hezbollah of maintaining extensive military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, allegedly with support from Iran. The Israeli Foreign Ministry echoed these concerns, highlighting that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting Lebanon amid rising tensions.

According to reports, President Trump has given Israel a green light to act if needed, including the possibility of military action against Hezbollah. However, the specifics of any such operation remain unclear. Hezbollah has resisted disarmament, demanding that Israel end its near-daily airstrikes on Lebanon and withdraw from disputed hilltop positions in southern Lebanon. Israel has rejected these demands, insisting that Hezbollah must first disarm.

Lebanon finds itself in a delicate position, torn between its desire to secure billions in foreign aid, contingent upon the disarmament of Hezbollah, and its fear of provoking civil unrest. While Hezbollah was weakened by the recent conflict, it still enjoys significant support, particularly among Lebanon’s Shiite Muslim community, making any action against it politically sensitive.

The Lebanese military’s announcement on Thursday came ahead of a cabinet meeting where President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam were set to review the next steps in the disarmament process. The plan has already seen the removal of several rocket-launching sites and other fortified positions south of the Litani River, a region that has long served as a security boundary between Hezbollah’s strongholds and the rest of the country.

Although Hezbollah’s leader, Naim Qassem, has claimed that the group no longer maintains an armed presence south of the Litani River, Israeli and Lebanese officials report ongoing activity further north. Israel has not provided definitive evidence to support its claims that Hezbollah is rearming, though it continues to justify military strikes in the region despite the ceasefire.

The Lebanese military has reported significant progress in clearing unexploded ordnance and dismantling tunnels in southern Lebanon. This phase of disarmament is expected to continue, with a focus on remaining areas in the south, including the port city of Sidon. However, the timeline for these efforts remains unclear, and the situation remains tense, with Israeli bombardments continuing in areas north of the Litani River, where Hezbollah’s infrastructure is believed to be concentrated.

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