Overview
- The Lebanese military said it has established operational control south of the Litani River, excluding five positions still held by Israeli forces, and will keep clearing unexploded ordnance and tunnels.
- Israel dismissed the announcement as insufficient and accused Hezbollah of rearming with Iranian support, while the UN’s Lebanon envoy called the army’s step “undeniable progress.”
- Ceasefire monitors from the United States, France, Israel, Lebanon and UNIFIL convened this week as the army prepared to brief the cabinet on next steps under the multi‑phase “Homeland Shield” plan.
- Officials signaled the upcoming phase would extend disarmament efforts toward the Awali River, with Lebanese ministers saying the army will present a plan for the next region in February.
- Israeli strikes continued across Lebanon, including reported fatalities in Kfar Dunin, and UNIFIL has logged more than 10,000 Israeli ceasefire violations as Hezbollah rejects disarming beyond the south.