Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel is willing to support Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah and could implement a “phased” withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon if Beirut follows through on its plan to seize the militant group’s weapons.
Since last year’s conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, the Lebanese army has been deploying to southern regions and dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure.
This month, the Lebanese cabinet directed the army to develop a comprehensive plan to disarm the group by year-end, tackling a longstanding security challenge.
Despite the November ceasefire, Israel has continued limited strikes in southern Lebanon and maintains control over five strategic areas until Hezbollah is neutralized, according to Israeli officials.
“Israel stands ready to support Lebanon in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah and to work together towards a more secure and stable future for both nations,” Netanyahu said, acknowledging the “significant step taken by the Lebanese government.”
He added that if Lebanon implements its plan, Israel is prepared to take “reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF presence in coordination with the US-led security mechanism.”
Later on Monday, the Israeli military reported it had “eliminated” a Hezbollah member in southern Lebanon and vowed to “continue operations to remove threats posed to the citizens of Israel.”
Hezbollah, the only faction to retain weapons after Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war, emerged weakened from last year’s conflict.
Earlier this month, Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem vowed to resist the Lebanese government’s disarmament efforts.
US envoy Tom Barrack urged Israel to honor its ceasefire commitments, emphasizing a step-by-step approach. “The Lebanese government has taken the first step. Now what we need is Israel to comply,” he said during meetings in Beirut. US deputy envoy Morgan Ortagus also arrived in Lebanon for high-level talks with officials.
The announcement comes ahead of a United Nations Security Council vote on the future of its peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.
A French-drafted compromise proposes extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)—deployed in 1978 to separate Israeli and Lebanese forces—by one year until August 31, 2026, while preparing for a phased withdrawal amid opposition from the US and Israel.
