Overview
- On January 8, the Lebanese Armed Forces said they completed disarmament and assumed operational control in the area south of the Litani River under the post-2024 ceasefire roadmap.
- Israel’s Foreign Ministry disputes the announcement, asserting that extensive Hezbollah infrastructure remains and alleging the group is rearming faster than it is being disarmed without providing evidence.
- UNIFIL’s commander says there is no indication of a Hezbollah return to the south, while the UN has logged more than 10,000 Israeli ceasefire violations since November 2024 and near-daily strikes, including about 25 attacks last Sunday.
- Media reports on a December 29 Florida meeting say President Trump signaled support for an Israeli offensive against Hezbollah, a claim that has intensified Lebanese fears of renewed escalation.
- Hezbollah leaders publicly reject nationwide disarmament, a senior official warned that extending disarmament north of the Litani could fuel instability, and international lenders are reported to be withholding funds pending progress.