Story perspectives

Lebanon's Army Plans Phase Two of Hezbollah Disarmament

2/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lebanon's army commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal told the government phase two of disarming Hezbollah could take four to eight months and target areas north of the Litani River after phase one.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem criticized the government's focus on disarmament as a "grave mistake" serving Israeli interests and rejected centralizing weapons under state control.
Israel continues military strikes against Hezbollah, claiming to target its infrastructure.

History

Historical Context

The Lebanese Civil War, lasting from 1975 to 1990, resulted in approximately 150,000 deaths and significant demographic shifts. The 1989 Taif Agreement aimed to end the conflict by redistributing power among factions, including Hezbollah, which retained around 30,000 fighters. Today, General Rodolphe Haykal's disarmament plan underscores ongoing tensions between state authority and Hezbollah's military autonomy, shaping Lebanon's political landscape and relations with Israel.

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Story summary

Lebanon's army commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal told the government phase two of disarming Hezbollah could take four to eight months and target areas north of the Litani River after phase one.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem criticized the government's focus on disarmament as a "grave mistake" serving Israeli interests and rejected centralizing weapons under state control.
Israel continues military strikes against Hezbollah, claiming to target its infrastructure.

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