Israeli military chief sets condition for Hezbollah disarmament

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has stated that the disarmament of Hezbollah cannot be fully achieved unless the Lebanese Armed Forces significantly improve their operational effectiveness on the ground. During a visit to troops near the Lebanese border, Zamir emphasized that Israel is determined to remove Hezbollah from the area south of the Litani River and prevent the group from rebuilding its military infrastructure.

This stance comes ahead of upcoming US-mediated security talks scheduled to take place in Rome this October. While a June ceasefire framework envisioned an Israeli withdrawal alongside Hezbollah's disarmament, implementation has stalled due to ongoing military operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israel will continue to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure within the security zone in southern Lebanon.

In response, Lebanese officials have defended the role of the national army in the south, noting that the military is working to deploy in villages and maintain control in non-occupied areas. However, Lebanese leadership has highlighted material limitations and called for increased support from the United States, Europe, and Arab nations to bolster the army's capabilities. The stated goal for Lebanon remains placing weapons under state authority without triggering a direct confrontation with Hezbollah.