• Lebanese Army announces completion of phase one to disarm non-state weapons in the south.
• Pressure from Israel and the U.S. continues as Hezbollah's capabilities are under scrutiny.
• Next phase to involve areas north of the Litani River, raising potential for conflict.
• The UN peacekeeping force reports no rebuilding of Hezbollah infrastructure.
• Hezbollah maintains strong local support despite international calls for disarmament.

The Lebanese Army has declared the completion of the first phase of its mission to establish a state monopoly on arms in the southern region, specifically between the Litani River and the Israeli border. Army commander Rodolphe Haykal stated that the operation was conducted in an "effective and tangible way," although he noted the need for further work, especially regarding unexploded ordnance and tunnels in the area, according to Al Jazeera, Reuters, and BBC.

As the Lebanese Army succeeds in its initial disarmament efforts, it comes under increasing international pressure, particularly from the U.S. and Israel, to dismantle Hezbollah's arsenal. Israel has indicated a willingness to escalate military operations if Lebanon does not act to disarm the militant group, which Israel accuses of rebuilding its military infrastructure, despite assurances from the United Nations peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) stating that there is "no evidence" of such rebuilding, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Looking ahead, the next stage of the disarmament plan will target the area north of the Litani River, which includes additional strategic locations, potentially heightening tensions as Hezbollah has expressed its rejection of disarmament beyond this point. Political analysts warn that any attempts to disarm the group in this region could lead to significant internal conflict, as Hezbollah retains strong support among Lebanon's Shia population, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Recent updates indicate that the Lebanese Army's operations in dismantling Hezbollah's military infrastructure have progressed without notable resistance from the group, although the situation remains precarious. The Lebanese government faces a significant challenge: balancing international expectations for disarmament while maintaining internal stability, as Israel continues its operations and pressures Lebanon with threats of further military action. Israeli officials have remarked that efforts being made "are far from sufficient," further complicating the dynamics, according to BBC.

As the political landscape shifts, Hezbollah’s steadfast claim that it has met the requirements of the ceasefire agreement complicates the disarmament narrative. They argue that without Israeli compliance, calls for disarmament are unjustified. This complexity underscores the challenges Lebanon faces in achieving both state control over arms and regional peace, with many in the international community closely monitoring the developments, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.