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Lebanese Army

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is the official military of Lebanon, currently positioned as a critical but fragile intermediary in the tripartite framework between Israel and the United States to stabilize southern Lebanon and disarm Hezbollah.

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk
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The Lebanese Army (LAF) occupies a complex position in the regional security architecture, often caught between its constitutional mandate to defend Lebanese sovereignty and the de facto military dominance of Hezbollah. Historically, the LAF has avoided direct kinetic confrontation with the IDF, frequently withdrawing from border positions during Israeli ground maneuvers to prevent friction. This was observed in June 2026, when LAF armored units, including M113 APCs, pulled back from Kfar Tebnit as IDF forces advanced toward the Nabatieh region. Despite its official status, the LAF has faced internal and external criticism for its inability or unwillingness to restrain Hezbollah’s activities in southern Lebanon.

Under the June 2026 tripartite framework signed in Washington by Israel, Lebanon, and the United States, the LAF is slated to take on an expanded operational role. The agreement establishes two 'pilot areas'—one south of the Litani River and one north of it—where the IDF will withdraw to allow for LAF deployment. This transition is intended to test the LAF's capacity to maintain a security vacuum and prevent the return of Hezbollah infrastructure. However, Israel remains skeptical of the LAF's independent capabilities; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that the IDF will maintain a security zone along the 'Yellow Line' and retain full freedom of military action until Hezbollah is fully disarmed.

Recent incidents have highlighted the ongoing risks of miscalculation. In early June 2026, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of several Lebanese soldiers, including a general, an event the LAF characterized as 'brutal aggression.' Conversely, the LAF has occasionally engaged in artillery fire toward areas of IDF activity. As the diplomatic framework moves toward implementation, the LAF's primary challenge remains its ability to assert state authority in Shiite-majority areas without triggering internal sectarian conflict or allowing Iranian-backed proxies to re-infiltrate the border zone.

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  • U.S. State Department

    The executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for foreign policy, currently managing high-stakes regional agreements and the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance under Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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  • Israel

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