The Lebanese army on Tuesday rejected Israeli accusations that it had failed to disarm Hezbollah and dismantle the group's military infrastructure south of the Litani River, accusing Israel of spreading misinformation to undermine its credibility amid ongoing negotiations. In a statement, the army said its operations were documented by the committee overseeing the cessation of hostilities.
Source: Naharnet via Bytes Europe
Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli military spokeswoman Lt Col Ella Waweya accused the Lebanese army of failing to curb Hezbollah activity south of the Litani, Naharnet reported. She said Hezbollah had continued operating at a facility in the town of Kafra in Bint Jbeil district and had moved weapons and equipment from the site, sharing footage she said showed the group transporting arms by truck. Israel said the site had been referred to the Lebanese army in December through the US-led monitoring mechanism.
The army's Kafra timeline, point by point
The Lebanese army said its units began work at the Kafra facility in December 2025 but suspended operations on March 16 following Israeli threats to strike the site. It said the suspension was requested by the monitoring committee, which was informed that weapons and ammunition remained inside, and that Israel subsequently struck the facility. The army said Israel repeatedly blocked efforts to resume operations until work restarted on August 15 in coordination with the committee, and that the facility was cleared and permanently closed on October 16.
The army also disputed the Israeli footage, saying it was filmed on July 3 near the southern town of Seddikine, shortly after a framework agreement was signed. It reaffirmed its commitment to existing agreements while accusing Israel of continued attacks and violations.
What is solid
- The Lebanese army issued a statement rejecting Israel's accusation and giving a dated timeline for the Kafra facility, ending with its clearance and permanent closure on October 16.
- Israeli spokeswoman Ella Waweya publicly accused the Lebanese army of failing to clear Hezbollah weapons south of the Litani and released footage she said showed weapons being moved.
What is only claimed
- Whether Hezbollah continued operating at the Kafra site after the Lebanese army said it had acted — Israel says its footage proves it did; the Lebanese army says the footage is from July 3 near Seddikine and that its work was documented by the monitoring committee.
The dispute comes under the November 2024 ceasefire agreement and a US-sponsored framework agreement signed on June 26 providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal, deployment of the Lebanese army and disarmament of Hezbollah. Israel has carried out attacks on Lebanon since March 2, and Lebanese and Israeli military delegations held US-mediated talks in Tampa on Tuesday on withdrawal and disarmament.