IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Wednesday that the Lebanese military must significantly improve its effectiveness against Hezbollah for the disarmament agreement to move forward. Speaking during a visit to Israel's northern border, Zamir also announced the IDF plans to establish a new 'robotics' branch to expand unmanned capabilities. He warned that Israel will not allow Hezbollah to rebuild its military presence south of the Litani River.
During a visit to Israel's northern border Wednesday evening, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated that the Lebanese military must dramatically improve its effectiveness against Hezbollah to enable progress on the disarmament agreement with Beirut. Zamir said the IDF remains determined to remove Hezbollah's presence south of the Litani River and prevent the group from rebuilding its military capabilities or restoring terror infrastructure. Progress through an agreement with the Lebanese government, he warned, depends on the Lebanese army demonstrating greater effectiveness on the ground.
The remarks expand on his earlier statement Wednesday, when The Zioneer reported Zamir saying the Hezbollah disarmament depends on Lebanese army action and warning against re-arming. The new comments place additional emphasis on the Lebanese army's performance as a prerequisite for diplomatic progress. Zamir also announced that the IDF plans to establish a new 'robotics' branch in the coming months, aimed at developing and expanding the military's use of unmanned capabilities.
Zamir's latest statements come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts mediated by the United States to solidify a ceasefire framework in southern Lebanon. The IDF has consistently argued that while Hezbollah has been severely weakened in direct engagements, the group's integration within Lebanese state structures makes its full disarmament contingent on the Lebanese army taking an active role. Israel has maintained a security zone in southern Lebanon and continues to conduct operations against Hezbollah infrastructure.
The timeline and scope of the new robotics branch have not been disclosed. Whether the Lebanese army can effectively confront Hezbollah independently remains an open question, with Israeli defense officials expressing skepticism.
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