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Lebanese army says it completed its first phase of Hezbollah disarmament

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"It is in no ones interest — not Israel's, not the region's, not the world's — for this conflict to spread beyond Gaza."

Hezbollah has signalled it "is willing to go all the way" toward a final border settlement if there's a Gaza cease-fire.

"I am doing my duty to prevent Lebanon from entering the war."

"We were not interested in a conflict. But if Hezbollah does start one, it will finish on Israel's terms."

"I don't know when the war in the north [will happen]. I can tell you that the likelihood of it happening in the coming months is much higher than it was in the past."

"The situation on Israel's northern border demands change... [t]he stopwatch for a diplomatic solution is running out."

"We are shifting from being passive to actively pursuing Hezbollah."

"Netanyahu clearly wants war [with Hezbollah]."

"It is likely that there is going to be a war between Hezbollah and Israel within the next six to eight months."

Will There Be an Israel-Hezbollah War?

Lebanon's army announced Thursday that it has achieved operational control south of the Litani River, excluding areas still occupied by Israeli forces, marking completion of the first phase of its plan to consolidate weapons under state authority.

Lebanon's army announced Thursday that it has achieved operational control south of the Litani River, excluding areas still occupied by Israeli forces, marking completion of the first phase of its plan to consolidate weapons under state authority.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that Lebanon's disarmament efforts are an encouraging beginning but far from sufficient, citing what it described as evidence of Hezbollah's attempts to rearm with Iranian support.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that Lebanon's disarmament efforts are an encouraging beginning but far from sufficient, citing what it described as evidence of Hezbollah's attempts to rearm with Iranian support.

The ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in November 2024 ended more than a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began when Hezbollah struck Israeli-controlled territory following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel.

The ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States in November 2024 ended more than a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began when Hezbollah struck Israeli-controlled territory following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel.

Israel has conducted near-daily airstrikes in Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect, with the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL documenting over 10,000 ceasefire violations by Israel, including 7,500 in Lebanese airspace and 2,500 on the ground.

Israel has conducted near-daily airstrikes in Lebanon since the ceasefire took effect, with the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL documenting over 10,000 ceasefire violations by Israel, including 7,500 in Lebanese airspace and 2,500 on the ground.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has rejected using force against Hezbollah, stating this could exacerbate sectarian divisions, while the group maintains it will not disarm north of the Litani River until Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has rejected using force against Hezbollah, stating this could exacerbate sectarian divisions, while the group maintains it will not disarm north of the Litani River until Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory.

Lebanon's cabinet announced that the army will present a plan in February for disarming groups north of the Litani River, with the next phase focusing on territory between the Litani and Awali rivers, though no timeline has been established.

Lebanon's cabinet announced that the army will present a plan in February for disarming groups north of the Litani River, with the next phase focusing on territory between the Litani and Awali rivers, though no timeline has been established.

Lebanon Army Takes Control South of Litani River

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