Israel called the efforts encouraging but “far from sufficient”. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BEIRUT: The Lebanese army announced on Thursday (Jan 8) that it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah, covering the area between the Israeli border and the Litani River.In a statement, the army said it had "achieved the objectives of the first phase" of its plan, with an intention to e

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The Lebanese Army said Thursday that it has completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, pledging to prevent the area from being used as a launching ground for any military actions -- a move Israel described as "encouraging," but insufficient.

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, Jan 8 - Israel said Lebanon's efforts to disarm Hezbollah are far from sufficient after the Lebanese army declared that it had established operational control in the south, raising pressure on Lebanese leaders who fear Israel could escalate strikes. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The military said it had completed the first phase of a plan to demilitarize armed groups as fears grew that Israel was preparing a new offensive against Hezbollah.

Lebanese military advances in disarming non-state groups, including Hezbollah, amid ongoing tensions and calls for security and reconstruction.

Lebanon's military said Thursday it had concluded the first phase of a plan to fully deploy across southern Lebanon and disarm non-state groups, notably Hezbollah. Israel said the development was encouraging but “far from sufficient," and its Foreign Ministry said the group still has dozens of compounds and other infrastructure. The effort to disarm Hezbollah comes after a Washington-brokered ceasefire ended a war between the group and Israel in 2024.

The Lebanese military says it has ended the first phase of its plan to deploy across southern Lebanon and disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah.

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, Jan 8 - The Lebanese army said on Thursday it had taken operational control in the south of the country, but Israel said efforts to disarm Hezbollah fighters were insufficient, raising pressure on Lebanese leaders who fear Israel could escalate strikes. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

BEIRUT, Jan 8 - The Lebanese army said on Thursday that it had achieved the goal of a state monopoly on arms in the country’s south in an \"effective and tangible way\", but said there was more work to be done to clear unexploded ordnance and tunnels in the area. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Beirut's announcement marks potential milestone after 2024 truce; Jerusalem: Hezbollah 'rearming faster than it is being disarmed'; Lebanon again calls for Israeli withdrawal