By Nohad Topalian | 2025-05-30

BEIRUT -- The Lebanese Army is the only force capable of implementing the ceasefire agreement that ended six weeks of intense cross-border violence between Israel and Hizbullah, experts in Lebanon say.

Before a ceasefire agreement tied to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 went into effect November 27, the southern border region had recorded its most severe fighting since 2006.

The truce has seen a tentative calm prevail, maintained by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

But the Iran-backed party's reluctance to disarm threatens the fragile peace, experts warn.

The Lebanese Army is competent and capable of carrying out what is required, if given clear political orders and international support, military affairs expert Khaled Hamadeh told Al-Fassel.

Despite the blows it has suffered, Hizbullah "continues to hold on to a political position that disregards the ceasefire agreement to which it agreed and was accepted by the Lebanese state," Hamadeh said.

Lebanon's failure to set deadlines for Hizbullah's disarmament is one factor that threatens the durability of the ceasefire, he said.

"The group refuses to discuss weapons withdrawal and insists on keeping its arms north of the Litani River, in violation of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement," he added.

UNIFIL's critical role

The truce, which Lebanon accepted on Hizbullah's behalf, requires the party to close weapons manufacturing plants and storage sites while withdrawing from southern Lebanon, said East News editor-in-chief George Chaheen.

It mandates "a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army in exchange for a gradual redeployment of the Lebanese Army south of the Litani River, with a significant role for all legitimate security forces to maintain stability," he told Al-Fassel.

UNIFIL's presence has proven critical, with the force discovering 225 weapons caches and supporting Lebanese Army deployment to 120 permanent positions across southern Lebanon between October and May.

The force's maritime component has maintained tight control over Lebanon's waters, intercepting 2,115 vessels and conducting 430 detailed inspections to prevent weapons proliferation.

The peacekeeping mission also has spearheaded reconstruction efforts, coordinating 1,578 humanitarian operations since October 21.

These include restoring damaged water networks, repairing critical roadways, protecting medical convoy routes, and ensuring safe passage for journalists covering the conflict zone, according to UNIFIL documents.

Cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army has yielded results already, contributing to the relative calm in the south and leading to the dismantling of approximately 500 Hizbullah positions, Chaheen said.

But the ultimate goal remains full implementation of the agreement, which requires "Israel to withdraw, the Lebanese state to extend its authority over all of Lebanon, and Hizbullah and Palestinian groups to disarm," he added.