IDF Awaits Lebanese Army to Dismantle Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) currently have no set deadline to withdraw from several positions north and south of the Blue Line in southern Lebanon. According to Northern Command officers, when the IDF does pull back, the Lebanese Army is expected to take over, clear Hezbollah infrastructure, and disarm militants. However, military officials express skepticism about the Lebanese Army’s ability to execute this plan thoroughly, as a significant portion of its forces are Shiite soldiers unlikely to confront Hezbollah, a Shiite organization.

Until the Lebanese Army initiates a pilot program involving the removal of explosives, collection of weapons, and destruction of military positions, bunkers, and tunnels built by Hezbollah and Iran over the past two decades, the IDF will maintain its positions. A security source noted that Lebanon is expected to announce a start date for this mission in the coming weeks, while the IDF continues to locate, map, and destroy terrorist infrastructure daily. The IDF reports that nearly 100% of structures in western and central southern Lebanon and about 73% in the eastern sector have been destroyed.

Despite previous commitments by Lebanese Army commanders to American and European officials to clear border villages of weapons and militants, these promises have not been fulfilled due to fears of Hezbollah’s retaliation. Last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Deputy Chief of Staff Tamir Yadai visited the security zone in southern Lebanon, receiving detailed briefings on IDF operations from Northern Command Chief Rafi Milo and other commanders.

Netanyahu emphasized the creation of buffer zones along the border to prevent terrorist forces from operating there, stating that Israel is destroying all above and below-ground infrastructure used for attacks, including tunnels and militant villages. He reiterated instructions to soldiers to act decisively against threats to their safety. Netanyahu also highlighted the recognition of sovereignty between Israel and Lebanon and called on Iran and Hezbollah to leave, expressing a desire for peace and security for residents on both sides of the border.