Eisenkot: Israel must demilitarize south Lebanon and disarm Hezbollah

Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot issued a sharp critique of the government's conduct in the northern arena on Monday, asserting that Israel must demand the total demilitarization of southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. According to Eisenkot, these goals are essential to restoring permanent security for the residents of northern Israel and preventing future cycles of conflict that would extract heavy costs in life and property.

Eisenkot specifically targeted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of relying on "empty slogans" without providing a satisfactory explanation for why the war's objectives have not yet been achieved. The former Chief of Staff claimed that IDF soldiers currently operating in southern Lebanon are fighting with "their hands tied," warning that the impressive military achievements of recent years are at risk of being squandered if they are not urgently leveraged through strategic power.

This intervention follows previous statements by Eisenkot where he argued that Israel must be prepared to confront Hezbollah throughout all of Lebanon, rather than limiting operations to the border area. His latest remarks emphasize a growing concern within the security establishment that tactical successes on the ground may not lead to the fundamental change in the security reality required for evacuated residents to return home with confidence.

The outlook for the northern front remains complex as Israel balances military pressure with diplomatic efforts. Eisenkot’s position reflects a "security-first" approach that views any settlement leaving Hezbollah's armed presence intact as a strategic failure. As the IDF continues to target Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, the debate over the definition of "victory" in the north continues to intensify within the Israeli political and military leadership.