On August 25, 2025, a significant diplomatic overture unfolded in the Middle East as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s willingness to withdraw its military forces from southern Lebanon—if, and only if, Lebanon’s government follows through on a newly adopted plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. The announcement, widely reported by outlets such as Associated Press, Reuters, and Xinhua News Agency, marks the most public and direct offer of de-escalation from Israel since the devastating conflict that erupted in October 2023.
Netanyahu’s office described Lebanon’s cabinet decision to bring all weapons under state control as a “momentous decision,” with the Prime Minister himself calling it “a major step and an opportunity for Lebanon to reclaim its sovereignty and rebuild its state institutions, army, and government without interference from non-state actors.” According to Reuters, Israel’s response could include a phased reduction of its military presence in southern Lebanon, coordinated closely with a United States-led security mechanism. “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 Israeli statement emphasized, as reported by Xinhua.
The Lebanese cabinet’s move, led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, tasks the national army with developing and executing a plan to dismantle Hezbollah’s military wing by the end of 2025. For Lebanon, this step is fraught with political tension. Hezbollah, widely recognized as the most powerful non-state armed group in the country, has long argued that its arsenal is necessary to defend Lebanon against Israeli aggression. The group and its allies insist that disarmament would weaken national defense and ultimately serve Israeli interests, a stance echoed by senior Hezbollah figures in recent weeks.
Hezbollah’s leadership has made its opposition to the disarmament plan clear. Earlier this month, Naim Qassem, the group’s deputy leader, promised to resist the government’s efforts, stating that Lebanese leaders should “remove Israel first” before debating Hezbollah’s right to bear arms. According to AP, the group maintains that any discussion of giving up its weapons is contingent on Israel withdrawing from five disputed hills along the border and halting near-daily airstrikes, which Lebanese health officials say have killed or wounded hundreds—mostly Hezbollah fighters—since the November 2024 ceasefire.
The roots of the current crisis can be traced back to the day after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when hostilities erupted along the Israel-Lebanon border. The ensuing conflict, which lasted more than a year, resulted in over 4,000 deaths and caused an estimated $11 billion in damage, according to figures cited by AP. Large swathes of southern Lebanon were left in ruins, and Hezbollah lost several senior political and military leaders, a blow that many analysts say has weakened the group’s command structure. Despite this, Hezbollah has continued to insist on its right to resist Israeli incursions, even as it has pulled many fighters and weapons from areas south of the Litani River, as reported by Reuters.
The November 27, 2024, US- and French-brokered ceasefire was intended to end the cross-border clashes and set the stage for a more durable peace. Yet, implementation has been rocky. While the ceasefire agreement stipulated Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the Israeli army has maintained several posts along the border and continued to launch attacks, citing ongoing “threats” from Hezbollah. On August 25, 2025, for instance, an Israeli drone strike in the Bint Jbeil district killed a Hezbollah member, according to Lebanon’s Health Emergency Operations Center and confirmed by Xinhua. This incident underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the deep mistrust that persists on both sides.
In the midst of these tensions, international actors have sought to keep the peace process on track. US envoy Tom Barrack has played a prominent role, urging Beirut to press ahead with Hezbollah’s disarmament and calling on Israel to honor its commitments under the ceasefire. During recent meetings in Beirut, Barrack remarked, “There’s always a step-by-step approach, but I think the Lebanese government has done their part. They’ve taken the first step. Now what we need is Israel to comply.” Israeli media reported that Barrack also visited Israel for discussions with Netanyahu, highlighting the coordinated diplomatic push from Washington.
Another key player is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), first deployed in 1978 to serve as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon. On August 25, 2025, the UN Security Council was set to vote on whether to extend UNIFIL’s mandate until August 31, 2026, according to Channel NewsAsia. The French-drafted compromise would keep the peacekeeping mission in place for another year, a move that has drawn both support and criticism from various quarters in Israel and the United States, some of whom question the mission’s effectiveness in curbing Hezbollah’s activities.
As the Lebanese army begins deploying further into the south and dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure, the question of how far and how fast the disarmament process can proceed remains open. Disagreements persist over whether the ceasefire requires Hezbollah to disarm only south of the Litani River or across the entire country. Hezbollah argues the accord applies only to the south, while Israel and the United States insist it covers all of Lebanon.
The stakes are high for all parties involved. For Lebanon, the prospect of reclaiming full sovereignty and restoring the authority of state institutions is tantalizing, but the risk of internal political upheaval is real. Hezbollah’s supporters warn that disarmament could destabilize the country’s delicate sectarian balance and leave it vulnerable to external threats. For Israel, the phased withdrawal of troops represents a significant concession, but officials remain wary of Hezbollah’s intentions and the possibility that the group could rearm under the cover of a weakened state.
Despite the many obstacles, Netanyahu’s statement signals a rare window of opportunity for diplomacy. “Israel stands ready to support Lebanon in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah and to work together towards a more secure and stable future for both nations,” he said, echoing the hopes of many in the international community for a lasting peace. Whether this momentous decision will lead to a historic breakthrough or yet another stalemate remains to be seen, but the coming months are certain to test the resolve of leaders in Beirut, Jerusalem, and beyond.
As the region watches closely, the fate of Lebanon’s disarmament plan—and the future of Israeli-Lebanese relations—hangs in the balance.
