US plan sees Hezbollah disarmed by year-end, Israeli withdrawal
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People inspecting the site of an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon on Aug 7.
PHOTO: EPA
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- The US proposed a plan for Hezbollah's disarmament by the end of 2025, in exchange for Israel ending military operations and troop withdrawal.
- The plan outlines a phased approach with specific timelines, requiring Lebanese government decrees and army deployment to achieve disarmament targets.
- Economic support, including a donor conference with US, Saudi Arabia, and others, is planned to aid Lebanon's recovery after disarmament.
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BEIRUT - The United States has presented Lebanon with a proposal for disarming Hezbollah by the end of the year, along with ending Israel’s military operations in the country and the withdrawal of its troops from five positions in south Lebanon, according to copy of a Lebanese Cabinet agenda reviewed by Reuters.
The plan, submitted by US President Donald Trump’s envoy to the region, Mr Tom Barrack, and being discussed at a Lebanese Cabinet meeting on Aug 7, sets out the most detailed steps yet for disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah, which has rejected mounting calls 2024’s devastating war
The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lebanese government ministers could not immediately be reached for comment.
The Israeli prime minister’s office declined to comment, while the defence ministry did not immediately respond.
Hezbollah had no immediate comment on the proposal, but three political sources told Reuters that ministers from the Iran-backed group and their Muslim Shi’ite allies withdrew from the Aug 7 Cabinet meeting in protest at discussions of the proposal.
Israel dealt major blows to Hezbollah in a 2024 offensive, the climax of a conflict that began in October 2023 when the Lebanese group opened fire at Israeli positions at the frontier, declaring support for its militant Palestinian ally Hamas at the start of the Gaza war.
The US proposal aims to “extend and stabilise” a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel brokered in November.
“The urgency of this proposal is underscored by the increasing number of complaints regarding Israeli violations of the current ceasefire, including airstrikes and cross-border operations, which risk triggering a collapse of the fragile status quo,” it said.
Phase 1 of the plan requires the Beirut government to issue a decree within 15 days committing to Hezbollah’s full disarmament by Dec 31, 2025. In this phase, Israel would also cease ground, air and sea military operations.
Phase 2 requires Lebanon to begin implementing the disarmament plan within 60 days, with the government approving “a detailed (Lebanese army) deployment plan to support the plan to bring all arms under the authority of the state”. This plan will specify disarmament targets.
During Phase 2, Israel would begin withdrawing from positions it holds in south Lebanon and Lebanese prisoners held by Israel would be released in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
During Phase 3, within 90 days, Israel will withdraw from the final two of the five points it holds, and funding will be secured to initiate rubble removal in Lebanon and infrastructure rehabilitation in preparation for reconstruction.
In Phase 4, within 120 days, Hezbollah’s remaining heavy weapons must be dismantled, including missiles and drones.
In Phase 4, the United States, Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar and other friendly states will organise an economic conference to support the Lebanese economy and reconstruction and to “implement President Trump’s vision for the return of Lebanon as a prosperous and viable country”. REUTERS
