Lebanese army wants IDF to remain in southern Lebanon, for fear of Hezbollah return - report

Israel is showing dissatisfaction with the results achieved so far by the Lebanese army in the pilot zones where it is tasked with disarming Hezbollah in the south of the country, a month and a half after the launch of this initiative, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported.

According to the public broadcaster, the progress made on the ground is considered insufficient by Israel, as these areas are supposed to serve as a test for the broader implementation of the process intended to move Hezbollah's infrastructure and weapons away from the Israeli border.

A senior American official also stated that certain officers in the Lebanese army themselves did not, at this stage, wish for a withdrawal of the IDF from southern Lebanon. They fear that a departure of Israeli forces would allow Hezbollah to quickly return to the areas from which it has been excluded.

"We are working with both parties to reach a future arrangement, but it will take time," said the American official.

These statements highlight the difficulties surrounding the implementation of Hezbollah's disarmament. Israel demands guarantees to prevent the Iran-backed organization from reestablishing its military presence in southern Lebanon before considering any changes to its own deployment in the region.