Sagiv Steinberg, director of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign and Security Affairs (JCFA), argued that the idea the Lebanese army can disarm Hezbollah is unrealistic, especially given the deep Shiite infiltration of that force. He stated Israel faces a clear choice: the fighting remains on Lebanese soil, or it returns to the northern towns of Israel.
Sagiv Steinberg, director of the Jerusalem Center for Foreign and Security Affairs (JCFA), issued an assessment Sunday aligning with a growing body of Israeli analysis that current diplomatic frameworks in Lebanon are unworkable. Steinberg argued the Lebanese Armed Forces cannot realistically disarm Hezbollah, citing deep Shiite infiltration within the military. He portrayed current understandings as a time-buying exercise amid regional talks, while Hezbollah continues to erode IDF positions in southern Lebanon.
Steinberg framed the core dilemma for Israel: the fighting either stays on Lebanese territory or returns to Israel's northern border towns. The assessment echoes positions previously covered by The Zioneer — including Senator Lindsay Graham's statement that the Lebanese army is too weak to disarm Hezbollah, and a report by analyst Ahikam Himmelreich on Hezbollah's deep infiltration of the Lebanese military.
On the wider stage, Steinberg noted a contest within the Trump administration between Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertive approach and Vice President J.D. Vance's preference for weakening Iran then reaching an accord. The outcome, he said, will directly affect Israeli security and regional developments.
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Source and signal
- Internal intake