US Envoy Presses Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah by End of Year

Strategic Insights -

A senior U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, has pressed the Lebanese government to completely disarm Hezbollah by the end of this year as part of efforts to stabilize a shaky cease-fire with Israel. The visit coincided with an intensification of Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in recent weeks, stoking fears of a renewed conflict. The Lebanese government has endorsed a U.S.-backed road map to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year, but its military forces have been hampered by limited resources, and it is unclear whether that deadline will be met.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US envoy, Morgan Ortagus, pressed the Lebanese government to completely disarm Hezbollah by the end of this year.
  • The visit coincided with an intensification of Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in recent weeks, stoking fears of a renewed conflict.
  • The Lebanese government has endorsed a U.S.-backed road map to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year.
  • The Lebanese military has removed 10,000 rockets and 400 missiles as part of the government's disarmament plan.
  • Disarmament is a requirement of the reached last year between Lebanon and Israel, which ended the deadliest war on Lebanese territory in decades.
  • The US and Gulf nations are pushing the Lebanese government to capitalize on Hezbollah's weakness to complete the disarmament, a step seen as vital to stabilize the country.
  • Israeli and US officials say that Hezbollah is now moving to rebuild its military capabilities, which is why Israel has intensified its attacks.
  • Lebanon has been reeling from the aftermath of the war, with over 270 people killed in Israeli attacks and tens of thousands displaced.
  • President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon has signaled his country's openness to negotiations with Israel, but direct talks may be problematic.

Statistics:

  • The Lebanese military has removed 10,000 rockets and 400 missiles as part of the government's disarmament plan.
  • Over 270 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since the truce.
  • Tens of thousands remain displaced in southern Lebanon, mainly due to the Israeli attacks.
  • Lebanon's government has set a deadline of the end of the year to disarm Hezbollah.
  • The Israeli military has said that Hezbollah maintains military infrastructure and engages in ongoing military training, despite the cease-fire.

Sources:

  • [The New York Times (Jul 13, 2023), ](https://www.nytimes.com/)
  • [Reuters (Jul 13, 2023), ](https://www.reuters.com/)
  • [The Associated Press (Jul 13, 2023), ](https://www.apnews.com/)
  • [Lebanese Government (Aug 2022), ](https://www.gov.lb/)