Four Countries Eyed for Hezbollah Disarmament

Israel and Lebanon have agreed on a shortlist of countries that could send military personnel to verify Hezbollah’s disarmament, following talks in Rome. Potential participants in the international mechanism include the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland and Indonesia.

The move follows a US-brokered agreement reached in June that makes the gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon contingent on the complete disarmament of the Iran-backed armed group.

The Israeli army currently occupies a 10 km security zone in southern Lebanon and refuses to withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed. The proposed mechanism calls for inspections of villages in southern Lebanon to verify that they are free of weapons. Israel wants those inspections to include private homes, a sensitive issue because the Lebanese army fears such searches could escalate tensions with Hezbollah, while security officials say warrants would be needed for each house.

Any foreign mission would need a clearly defined mandate, including the extent of its freedom of movement, with the most likely arrangement involving a formal invitation from the Lebanese government under a framework endorsed by Israel.

Behind-the-scenes negotiations remain at an early stage, but negotiators have expressed cautious optimism. The structure of the oversight mechanism itself remains a complication. The United States and Israel are unlikely to accept direct UN involvement, while some European countries may oppose oversight by US President Donald Trump’s so-called Board of Peace.

(Reuters, Max)