Israel and Lebanon Trade Barbs Over Hezbollah Disarmament Amid Military Talks

Military talks involving the United States, Lebanon, and Israel opened Tuesday in Tampa, Florida, and are scheduled to continue through Thursday. These discussions are purely military and not a resumption of direct political negotiations. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated last Saturday that a Lebanese military delegation would attend to present Lebanon's demands for an end to Israeli escalation, hoping for outcomes aligned with the framework agreement.

Expectations for significant developments were low in Beirut prior to the meetings, with reports indicating a lack of optimism. One Lebanese source suggested the U.S. "forced" the talks as a gesture of ongoing negotiation, despite a lack of results. The timing, just a week before Israeli elections, was seen as unpropitious, with little expectation that Israel, which has offered nothing since the framework agreement, would propose anything on a ceasefire or expanded pilot zones. Israel's political and security establishment, according to the report, maintains a policy of continued aggression against Lebanon and refusal to withdraw from areas south of the Litani River.

Mutual accusations have intensified as the IDF continues operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese side, including supporters and officials, has condemned Israeli actions, demanding a halt to direct negotiations and a full Israeli withdrawal. Lebanese President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have criticized Israeli attacks but continue to support direct negotiations. Aoun stated that Israel has not upheld the framework agreement, with daily violations in the south hindering Lebanon's objectives and causing suffering to its people, particularly in the south. He emphasized Lebanon's commitment to a diplomatic solution, which he believes is far less costly than a destructive war.

Amid regional tensions and concerns about the future of UNIFIL's mission in southern Lebanon, which is set to end this year, Lebanese authorities fear a security vacuum and are seeking alternatives from the UN Security Council. Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat quoted ministerial sources who noted that visiting delegations warned Lebanon against engaging in new conflicts, emphasizing that Israel would not be bound by previous limitations in the event of a new confrontation.

The IDF accused the Lebanese army of failing to fulfill its responsibility, as per 2024 understandings, to act against Hezbollah's military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. The IDF stated that this inaction allowed Hezbollah to continue strengthening its presence and capabilities. Specifically, the IDF cited an incident in December 2025 where a military asset used by Hezbollah for storing weapons, transferred to the Lebanese army's care, was later found to still be actively used by Hezbollah. The IDF claimed to have intercepted and destroyed a truck used by Hezbollah to move weapons from this site, alleging that elements within the Lebanese army coordinated with Hezbollah, enabling prior arrangements for weapon transfers.

The Lebanese army vehemently denied these accusations, calling them false and questioning Israel's ability to assess their actions. They stated that their operations at the Kfar facility, which began in December 2025 and concluded in October 2026, were documented with the ceasefire monitoring mechanism. The Lebanese army claimed that Israel refused their requests to continue clearing the facility and that a video of an Israeli strike on a truck was from July 2026, after the framework agreement was signed. They accused Israel of spreading false information to undermine the Lebanese army's credibility during the ongoing negotiations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking from the U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa where the talks are being held, reiterated Israel's demand for the Lebanese army to enter and clear the two designated "pilot zones" of Hezbollah. He stated, "If you can't, we will take care of it." Netanyahu added that while Israel does not allow threats to accumulate, he sees some positive changes and believes a peace agreement with Lebanon and positive developments could occur if Hezbollah were eliminated. Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that the IDF would not withdraw from the security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threat to northern residents is removed.