Lebanese Army denies rumors of officer leaking information to Hezbollah

The Lebanese Army denied allegations on Monday that a senior officer leaked sensitive military information to Hezbollah, undermining the cease-fire with Israel reached last November.

"A foreign newspaper relayed information about alleged security leaks by Lebanese Army officers on behalf of political parties," the statement said. "The army command formally denies these allegations, especially as they come at an exceedingly delicate time, during which the army is conducting missions of great importance."

The statement referred to a Jan. 26 article in The Times titled "A senior Lebanese Army officer transmits military secrets to Hezbollah." The British newspaper alleged that the head of the army's intelligence services in South Lebanon, identified as S.B.G., shared sensitive information with Hezbollah. The article claimed this information was obtained from a control room operated jointly by the U.S., France and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), tasked with peacekeeping and enforcing U.N. Resolution 1701 following the truce.

According to the report, the officer's access to the control room was secured through the influence of Wafic Safa, head of Hezbollah’s liaison and coordination committee. Intelligence sources cited in the article claimed the leaks endangered the cease-fire, which was brokered on Nov. 27 by the Lebanese government, the U.S. and France to end more than a year of conflict.

The article also noted the leaks came at a critical time, as the Israeli army had refused to withdraw from South Lebanon within the agreed deadlines. Clashes have erupted between soldiers and residents attempting to return home.

The Times further alleged that the officer is one of dozens within the Lebanese Army who have provided information to Hezbollah, warning the group of imminent raids or patrols and enabling it to move weapons and avoid inspections. The report claimed Hezbollah has used this intelligence to conceal its activities from the international community and maintain its arsenal near the Israeli border.

The newspaper questioned the army's ability to effectively control South Lebanon, where Hezbollah has long held significant influence. Despite some successes, such as dismantling weapon stockpiles in areas vacated by Israeli forces, the leaks have raised concerns about the army's reliability in the region.

In response, the army command insisted its officers perform their duties with "the utmost professionalism, executing orders from their hierarchy."

Despite the denial, the allegations have gained traction among Lebanese social media users, where the story continues to circulate widely.