Lebanese Officials Say Hezbollah Disarmament Is Key to Israeli Withdrawal from South Lebanon

According to a recent report by the Saudi channel Al-Hadath, Israeli forces currently control over 55 villages in southern Lebanon, covering approximately 450 square kilometers. Most of these villages have been evacuated of their civilian populations, with only a few still inhabited. The report highlights a growing consensus among Lebanese political figures opposing Hezbollah that Israel will not withdraw from these areas unless Hezbollah disarms.

Serge Dagger, a senior member of the Christian Kataeb Party, one of Hezbollah's main opponents, stated on Lebanon's MTVA channel that without Hezbollah relinquishing its weapons, there will be no reconstruction, no return of refugees, and no change in the situation. He emphasized that this demand is not only Israeli or American but also Lebanese, supported by Christians, Sunnis, Druze, and even some Shia factions. Dagger added that the weapons should be handed over to the Lebanese state, not Israel, calling this the most honorable act Hezbollah could perform for Lebanon.

This discourse reflects a broader recognition within Lebanon that Hezbollah's armament is a critical obstacle to national recovery and peace in the south. The issue of Hezbollah's weapons is increasingly seen as a central point in any future agreement or state rehabilitation efforts. The situation remains tense as Israel maintains its presence in the region, awaiting conditions for withdrawal tied to Hezbollah's disarmament.