Israel Ties Lebanon Withdrawal to Hezbollah Disarmament

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on August 13 that Israel will not withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed. This position was reiterated during a visit to the region, underscoring Israel's stance despite ongoing negotiations and recent airstrikes that have intensified tensions.

On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 11 people in southern Lebanon, according to reports from multiple sources including The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, and Al Jazeera. The deadliest attacks since the June 20 truce between Israel and Hezbollah struck Ansar and Deir al-Zahrani. In Ansar, seven people, including three children, were killed in one airstrike that wounded two others. Another strike on Deir al-Zahrani resulted in four deaths and 17 injuries.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the strikes, stating they intimidate residents and undermine stabilization efforts. He emphasized that the destroyed villages were inhabited by civilians, not military infrastructure as claimed by Israel. The Lebanese presidency reported that Israeli strikes and ground operations since March have killed 4,300 people and displaced over one million individuals.

Discussions are ongoing about potential contributions from Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Indonesia to verify Hezbollah's disarmament under a proposed mechanism. This follows a U.S.-backed deal between Israel and Lebanon that foresees a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops linked to the verified disarmament of Hezbollah. A U.S. State Department official emphasized that all parties should act in accordance with this agreement.

Lebanese leaders have condemned the Israeli bombing of southern Lebanon, which has killed at least 11 people in the worst attacks since the renewal of a ceasefire was brokered in June by the United States. The agreements came after another truce announced in April had unraveled. Both ceasefires, opposed by Hezbollah, have not stopped the Israeli military from expanding its control over Lebanese territory and carrying out deadly attacks.

The Israeli army carried out an air strike on the Ali al-Taher ridge in the Nabatieh district near the UNESCO-listed Beaufort Castle. Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed flames and smoke rising from the area between the Ali al-Taher hills and the Dabsha area amid the sound of explosions. The Israeli military claimed the attacks were carried out in response to what it described as an action by Hezbollah against Israeli soldiers at the Ali al-Taher Ridge.

Ziad Abu Rish, an associate professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Bard College, told Al Jazeera that most observers believe Netanyahu wants to escalate strikes on Lebanon “to demonstrate an undeterred resolve” to occupy the country’s south and to “pummel” Hezbollah and Lebanese civilians. He noted that Israeli forces have killed more than 4,300 people in Lebanon since March 2 and wounded more than 12,000.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun criticized Israel’s continuing attacks on southern Lebanon, particularly in Nabatieh and the surrounding areas, saying they repeatedly violate the ceasefire reached with the US and Israel. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and called them a matter of “utmost gravity.” Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri called the Israeli attacks a “massacre” and said they represented the continuation of a “war aimed at extermination” in southern Lebanon.