Beirut, Lebanon – The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) revealed in a report Israeli dissatisfaction with the progress made so far by the Lebanese army in its mission to disarm Hezbollah in the pilot areas where it is deployed in southern Lebanon. This comes amid concerns expressed by Lebanese officers about the early repercussions of an Israeli troop withdrawal.
Lebanese fears of Hezbollah’s return and the conditions for withdrawal
In the same context, the broadcasting authority quoted a senior US official, who preferred to remain anonymous, as saying that some Lebanese army officers had openly expressed their opposition to any immediate Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon at this time. These officers voiced their concern that such a withdrawal would allow the Iranian-backed Hezbollah to return to the areas from which it withdraws. The US official added, emphasizing, “We are working with both sides to reach a future agreement, but this will take time.”
This controversy arises amidst ongoing deep disagreements regarding the implementation mechanism of the joint agreement. This agreement links the phased Israeli withdrawal plan to progress on the ground in dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and the Lebanese army assuming full security responsibility. Israel has already withdrawn from three pilot areas, which the Lebanese army has entered. However, it has expressed significant reservations and a limited stance on continuing the withdrawal, and has demanded more decisive and serious measures from Beirut against Hezbollah’s arsenal.
The “Ali al-Taher Hill” crisis and the stalled negotiations
One of the most prominent points of contention, both on the ground and diplomatically, revolves around the location of “Ali al-Taher Hill,” which Tel Aviv considers a highly strategic site. Intelligence reports indicate that it contains military installations and a network of tunnels belonging to Hezbollah. According to Lebanese diplomatic sources, Tel Aviv refuses to resume the current rounds of negotiations unless the Lebanese state agrees to allow the army to enter Ali al-Taher Hill. It also stipulates the handover of the military facility located beneath it and the complete withdrawal of Hezbollah elements from the area to ensure the dismantling of its strategic infrastructure in the region.
