US Ambassador States Israeli Strikes in South Lebanon Will Persist Until Hezbollah Disarms

US ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa stated on Friday that Israeli military operations in southern Lebanese villages will persist until Hezbollah gives up its weapons. Speaking after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Mr Issa declared, “They’ll stop when it’s time to stop. Tell Hezbollah that as soon as it hands over its weapons, everything will stop.”

This declaration followed statements made a day earlier by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who denounced what he termed Israeli “attacks, incursions, and systematic bulldozing and destruction” affecting homes, residential neighborhoods, infrastructure, government buildings, and places of worship throughout south Lebanon.

“Claiming that entire villages and towns – with their homes, neighbourhoods, government offices, public facilities, places of worship, and infrastructure – are ‘military facilities’ is a claim that defies any logic and cannot serve as cover for their destruction, the displacement of their inhabitants, or preventing them from returning to them,” Mr Salam stated.

Mr Issa’s remarks came at the conclusion of a two-day mission to Lebanon alongside senior Centcom officer Lt-Gen Joseph Clearfield. The officials engaged with Lebanon’s political and military leaders to revive stalled diplomatic negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, meeting with President Joseph Aoun and Army commander Brig Gen Rodolph Haykal, among other officials, in an effort to advance the framework agreement.

Discussions centered on addressing Israeli violations and establishing a verification mechanism overseen by Lt Gen Clearfield for pilot zones designated for Hezbollah's disarmament, an Israeli withdrawal, and the subsequent assumption of control by the Lebanese army. Mr Issa informed reporters on Friday that a shortlist of candidates for this verification mechanism had been reviewed, though final decisions remain pending.

“We’ve discussed it with a few countries, but we haven’t decided on the team’s composition yet. There’s a shortlist for sure,” he noted.

Previous talks in Rome during early August yielded minimal practical progress. Concurrently, Israeli forces issued forced displacement orders for inhabitants of Al Mansouri and initiated air strikes across multiple south Lebanon locations, attributing the actions to alleged ceasefire violations by Hezbollah. The recent delegation visit sought to clear obstacles hindering these negotiations.

However, the arrival of Lt Gen Clearfield and Mr Issa coincided with escalated Israeli military actions and bulldozing operations in south Lebanon, focusing heavily on the Ali Al Taher ridge area overlooking Nabatieh, which remains under Lebanese control. Despite these developments, Mr Issa characterized the Rome negotiations as ongoing and “positive,” noting that the next session is scheduled for early September.

The Ali Al Taher ridge continues to serve as a critical point of contention in the talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated preparations for further military engagement in the area, citing accusations that Hezbollah is stockpiling weapons there. In June, Israel initiated a major operation surrounding and isolating the ridge, though Hezbollah refuted claims that the area was seized.

A widening gap persists between the diplomatic efforts and the reality on the ground, as the US pursues a strategy focused on Hezbollah's disarmament and Lebanese Army deployment, while the Lebanese government demands an immediate halt to the Israeli military campaign. Meanwhile, Israel continues to consolidate its position.

Hezbollah has consistently voiced opposition to the US-brokered framework agreement. In a Friday evening address marking the 20th anniversary of the conclusion of the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem criticized the deal as comprising “Israeli dictates that had led to the occupation of Al Mansouri.” Mr Qassem also challenged the Lebanese government regarding its achievements, amid Israel's gradual tightening of control over Al Mansouri south of Tyre.