‘Time for both to move forward’: Netanyahu says Israel could withdraw from Lebanon; hails decision to disarm Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday hailed Lebanon’s decision to work toward disarming Hezbollah by the end of 2025, calling it a “momentous step.” He said that the decision could pave the way for Israel to scale back its military presence in southern Lebanon.Taking to X, the office of Netanyahu said that Israel “acknowledges the significant step taken by the Lebanese Government, under the leadership of President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam,” noting that the move could help Lebanon reclaim sovereignty “free from the influence of non-state actors.””If the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) take the necessary steps to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF presence in coordination with the US-led security mechanism,” the office of Netanyahu wrote. It added that 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 the stability and prosperity of both nations.”The remarks come amid ongoing friction over the implementation of the November US-brokered ceasefire that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war. The conflict, which erupted after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, killed more than 4,000 people and caused an estimated $11 billion in damage.

Hezbollah pushes back

Despite Lebanon’s cabinet decision, Hezbollah has rejected any disarmament plan. The Iran-backed group insists it will not surrender its weapons until Israel withdraws from five contested hills inside Lebanon and halts near-daily airstrikes, which have killed or injured hundreds of its fighters in recent months.Hezbollah’s leadership has accused Beirut of caving to US pressure, arguing that the move “serves Israel’s interests.” The group maintains that the ceasefire agreement only obliges it to scale back in the area south of the Litani River. Israel and Washington, however, interpret the accord as mandating disarmament across Lebanon.Since the ceasefire, Hezbollah has withdrawn most fighters and heavy weapons from the border zone, but Israeli officials accuse the group of quietly trying to rebuild its arsenal and fortify positions north of the Litani.