US Calls on Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah After Israel’s Retaliatory Airstrike
The United States has reiterated its stance that the Lebanese government must take responsibility for disarming terrorist groups, particularly Hezbollah, following renewed hostilities between Israel and militants in Lebanon. The statement came after Israel launched its first strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs since a fragile ceasefire was brokered in November.
The Israeli airstrike targeted a facility in the Dahiyeh district, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut. According to Israeli officials, the site housed a drone storage facility linked to the Iran-backed Shi’ite militant group. The strike was in response to rocket fire from Lebanon, marking the most serious test of the ceasefire agreement so far.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, a US State Department spokesperson defended Israel’s actions, stating, “Israel is defending its people and interests by responding to rocket attacks from terrorists in Lebanon.”
The State Department emphasized that under the cessation of hostilities agreement, the Lebanese government is obligated to disarm Hezbollah and other armed factions operating within its territory.
“As part of the ceasefire terms, the government of Lebanon is responsible for disarming Hezbollah. We expect the Lebanese Armed Forces to take action against these terrorists to prevent further hostilities,” the spokesperson added.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire from Lebanon. However, the Lebanese army has reported that it located the launch site and has initiated an investigation into the incident.
The recent flare-up follows last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah, which led to the displacement of more than 1.3 million people and left much of southern Lebanon in ruins. The conflict also resulted in significant losses for Hezbollah, including the elimination of key figures within its leadership.
With tensions once again on the rise, international observers are closely watching how Lebanon navigates its precarious position amid growing pressure from both Israel and the United States to curb Hezbollah’s influence.
Source: JPost – US says it expects Lebanese government to disarm terrorist groups
