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Prime ministers

Lebanon Approves Framework for Disarming Hizbollah as Israel Pledges Reciprocal Measures

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Lebanese cabinet has approved a framework put forward by US special envoy Tom Barrack to disarm Hizbollah, a Shia militant group that has long been the most powerful non-state actor in Lebanon. The decision follows weeks of diplomatic efforts, including a visit to Lebanon by Barrack last week. The US plan calls on Israel to scale back its attacks and withdraw from Lebanese territory within 15 days of Lebanon issuing its decision to disarm the group.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lebanese cabinet has approved a framework to disarm Hizbollah, a Shia militant group, as part of a US-led plan.
  • US special envoy Tom Barrack had presented the framework to the Lebanese government.
  • Israel has pledged to take reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of its military presence, if the Lebanese armed forces implement the disarmament of Hizbollah.
  • Hizbollah has refused to recognize the US plan and has called on the Lebanese government to make Israel withdraw from Lebanon.
  • Lebanon's cabinet has tasked the country's army with drawing up plans for Hizbollah's disarmament, which are expected to be presented to the government next week.
  • The US plan stipulates that Israel must halt its land, air, and maritime operations within 15 days of Lebanon issuing its decision to disarm the group.
  • Hizbollah's leader, Naim Qassem, has rejected the disarmament plan, calling it an attempt to take away the group's "soul" and threatening to reveal the group's strength.
  • Israel's air force has conducted near-daily air raids in southern Lebanon, killing at least one person since the conflict began in 2023.

Statistics:

  • 15 days: The timeframe given for Israel to scale back its attacks and withdraw from Lebanese territory once Lebanon issues its decision to disarm Hizbollah.
  • 5: The number of military positions held by Israel on high ground on the Lebanese side of the de facto border between the two countries.
  • 30km: The distance the Litani river runs north of the border with Israel, an area where Hizbollah has been attempting to rebuild its positions.
  • 2023: The year the fighting between Israel and Hizbollah began, sparked by Hizbollah firing rockets towards Israel in solidarity with Hamas.

Sources:

  • "Israel to Implement Normalization Deal with Lebanon, Netanyahu Says," [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/world/middleeast/israel-lebanon-negotiations.html), November 12, 2023.
  • "US Envoy Tom Barrack Presses Israel to Accept Lebanese Disarmament Plan," [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middleeast/us-envoy-tom-barrack-presses-israel-accept-lebanese-disarmament-plan-2023-11-09/), November 9, 2023.
  • "Hizbollah Rejects US Plan to Disarm the Group," [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/hizbollah-rejects-us-plan-disarm-group-20231111), November 11, 2023.

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