Israel has signaled readiness to withdraw from southern Lebanon if Hezbollah is disarmed, following Lebanon’s pledge to bring all weapons under state control by 2025. Netanyahu’s office called the move a “momentous decision,” but Hezbollah leaders vow to keep their arms despite US-backed mediation efforts.
Israel on Monday signaled that it could withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon if Hezbollah is disarmed, marking one of the most significant policy shifts in recent years amid ongoing regional tensions.
In a statement issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Israel welcomed Lebanon’s decision earlier this month to bring all weapons under state control by the end of 2025. The Israeli government described the Lebanese initiative as “a momentous decision” that could pave the way for restoring state authority in Lebanon and reducing hostilities along the border.
“This step offers Lebanon a crucial opportunity to reclaim its sovereignty and restore the authority of its state institutions,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in the statement, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Conditional Withdrawal Linked to Hezbollah’s Disarmament
Netanyahu’s office emphasized that any Israeli withdrawal would depend on the Lebanese army successfully implementing the disarmament process. If that occurs, Israel would consider taking “reciprocal measures,” including a phased reduction of its military presence in southern Lebanon. This withdrawal would be coordinated with a US-led security mechanism to ensure stability and prevent renewed escalation.
“Now is the time for both Israel and Lebanon to move forward in a spirit of cooperation, focusing on the shared objective of disarming Hezbollah and promoting stability and prosperity for both nations,” the statement read.
The announcement followed a meeting between Netanyahu and US envoy Tom Barrack, who has been urging Lebanon to act decisively on Hezbollah’s weapons. Washington has long supported efforts to curb Hezbollah’s military power, which it sees as a destabilizing force in the region.
Hezbollah’s Defiance
Despite the Lebanese government’s declared commitment, Hezbollah has shown no signs of compliance. Leaders of the Shiite militant group have consistently rejected calls to disarm, arguing that their weapons are essential for Lebanon’s defense against Israel.
Hezbollah officials accused Lebanese leaders of prioritizing political survival and foreign pressure over national defense, declaring that “Israel should be removed first” before any discussion about the group’s arms could take place.
This stance highlights the deep internal divisions within Lebanon, where Hezbollah continues to wield considerable influence politically, militarily, and socially. Many analysts believe Hezbollah’s reluctance to surrender its arsenal could stall or even derail the Lebanese government’s ambitious disarmament pledge.
Continued Tensions and Drone Strikes
The Israeli announcement came against the backdrop of ongoing military confrontations. On Monday, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health’s Health Emergency Operations Center confirmed that an Israeli drone strike hit a vehicle in the Bint Jbeil district of southern Lebanon.
The strike killed one person, identified by Lebanese security sources as a Hezbollah member. The attack underscored the fragile security situation despite the ceasefire formally in place since late November 2024.
The US- and French-brokered ceasefire was designed to end more than a year of cross-border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel. While the agreement stipulated an eventual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, Israel has maintained several military posts along the border and continues to conduct strikes, citing threats from Hezbollah.
International Mediation and Regional Outlook
Observers say Israel’s conditional withdrawal proposal represents both an opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, it signals a potential breakthrough in the long-standing conflict if Lebanon successfully implements disarmament measures. On the other hand, Hezbollah’s resistance raises doubts about whether the Lebanese government can enforce its decision without triggering internal unrest.
The US and France are expected to play a crucial role in facilitating dialogue and monitoring developments. Meanwhile, regional analysts caution that unless Hezbollah engages constructively, Israel is unlikely to make significant troop reductions, keeping the region locked in a cycle of tension and sporadic violence.
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For Lebanon, successfully disarming Hezbollah would mark a historic shift in its security architecture, strengthening state authority and reducing the risk of renewed wars. For Israel, the move would ease one of its most persistent security threats along its northern border.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the future of Israeli-Lebanese relations hinges on whether Hezbollah can be persuaded—or compelled—to lay down its arms.
