Lebanon08 January, 20262 min read
Lebanese Army Completes First Phase to Disarm Hezbollah, Secures South of Litani
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Army completed first phase of plan to disarm Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups Lebanese Army established state monopoly on arms between the Litani River and Israeli border
4 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Hezbollah Announces Up To $14,000 Housing Allowances For Displaced People In Lebanon →
Lebanese disarmament operation
On Jan. 8 the Lebanese army announced it had completed the first phase of a plan to disarm Hezbollah in the area between the Israeli border and the Litani River.
“The Lebanese army said on Jan. 8 it has completed the first phase of a plan to disarm Hezbollah in the area between the Israeli border and the Litani River and plans to extend the effort across Lebanon.”
The army said it now controls territory south of the Litani and plans to extend the operation across Lebanon.
Both CNA and TRT World reported the army's statement that it controls territory south of the Litani except for several positions near the border still held by Israel.
The army also said it will continue clearing unexploded ordnance, searching for tunnels and preventing armed groups from reconstituting capabilities.
The local source ABC17NEWS did not provide an article text and instead indicated the pasted text was not the article, so it offers no additional reporting on the operation itself.
Lebanon border control update
Both CNA and TRT highlight that the army's control is not absolute. They say five strategic positions near the border remain under Israeli control or occupation. Israel continues limited operations or raids it describes as targeting Hezbollah rearmament.
CNA quotes the army as saying it controls territory south of the Litani 'with the exception of' five strategic positions still held by Israel. TRT notes Israel continues to occupy five strategic points and carries out raids that Lebanon accuses of violating the ceasefire terms.
Lebanon security operations update
The army said subsequent activities will include clearing unexploded ordnance, searching for Hezbollah tunnels and taking steps to prevent armed groups from rebuilding capabilities. CNA says this push follows Hezbollah's weakening after the November 2024 war and notes the group refuses to relinquish weapons in other parts of Lebanon.
“The push follows Hezbollah’s weakening after the deadly November 2024 war with Israel; Hezbollah refuses to relinquish weapons elsewhere in Lebanon.”
TRT similarly lists ordnance clearing, tunnel searches and preventing reconstitution as priorities. ABC17NEWS supplies no substantive reporting in the provided snippet.
Ceasefire tensions and strikes
Both CNA and TRT place the operation within the broader ceasefire framework and note continuing tensions. Under the ceasefire, Hezbollah is to withdraw north of the Litani and dismantle military infrastructure in evacuated areas. Both outlets report continued Israeli operations.
CNA notes that Israel has expressed doubts about the Lebanese army's effectiveness. TRT additionally reports Lebanese health authorities' figures claiming nearly 700 Israeli air strikes since late November 2024.
Those strikes have caused at least 340 deaths and over 940 wounded. ABC17NEWS does not supply relevant reporting in the provided snippet.