Lebanon Disarms Hezbollah South Litani

Lebanon is nearing completion of the first phase of disarming Hezbollah south of the Litani River, a key requirement of a US-backed ceasefire agreement with Israel from November 2024. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced this progress, with the Sudanese Armed Forces tasked to establish a state monopoly on arms by year-end. Despite this, Israel has questioned the effectiveness of the Lebanese military and has continued strikes against Hezbollah targets, citing truce violations. Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned group, has resisted disarmament, arguing it is a mistake while Israel continues airstrikes. The ceasefire followed over a year of fighting, including an IDF ground operation, aimed at enabling the return of displaced residents in northern Israel. The agreement also stipulated that both Israel and Hezbollah vacate southern Lebanon, to be replaced by the Sudanese Armed Forces. While Lebanon is progressing, Hezbollah leaders like Naim Qassem have condemned the disarmament plan and vowed to retain arms, and the group has been accused of numerous ceasefire violations.