Face-off between Lebanese soldiers and Israeli tanks, separated by UNIFIL peacekeepers, March 5, 2023. (Credit: The Lebanese Army)
BEIRUT — U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios on Tuesday that there is a "quiet understanding" between the U.S., Israel and Lebanon that the Israeli military will continue occupying five positions in Lebanon "for several weeks or months until the Lebanese Army stabilizes the situation in southern Lebanon and ensures Hezbollah is no longer a threat." No Lebanese officials were cited in the report, either confirming or denying this point.
"We must remain at these positions to protect Israeli citizens, ensure an orderly process, and transfer control to the Lebanese Army," Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani told reporters. He said the move was "in line" with the cease-fire agreement and that Israeli troops could stay "for months if necessary until it is clear there is no more Hezbollah activity south of the Litani [River]."
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department is sending $95 million in military aid to the Lebanese Army, a department official told L'Orient Today on Tuesday.
Axios reports that the waiver suggests the Trump administration intends to "strengthen Lebanon's military and the new government that took office in January." According to the quoted U.S. officials, the aid is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to weaken Hezbollah, reduce its influence in Lebanon and "ensure the cease-fire with Israel holds."
The decision comes as the Trump administration continues its nearly 90-day freeze on foreign aid.
"The department approved an exception to expend the $95 million of foreign military funding recently reprogrammed to Lebanon. We are working with our Department of Defense colleagues to move forward with the implementation of these funds," a State Department spokesperson told Axios.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut and the Lebanese Army did not respond to L'Orient Today's request for comment at the time of publication.
Hezbollah has been militarily weakened following its most recent war with Israel and the assassinations of key leaders within the group.
Authorities at Beirut's international airport have seized $2.5 million in cash allegedly intended for Hezbollah, three sources told Reuters on Friday. The money was being transported by a man arriving from Turkey.
Beirut announced on Feb. 17 that it was suspending flights to and from Iran after refusing to grant landing permits for two Mahan Air flights due to Israeli threats targeting the airport. The decision sparked protests by Hezbollah supporters, who blocked the road leading to the airport near the southern suburbs of the capital.
The Lebanese Army fired tear gas at the protesters.
"This was a big test for the Lebanese Army," a U.S. official said.
Aoun’s presidency a ‘historic opportunity’
"Aoun’s presidency is a historic opportunity to change the reality in Lebanon for the better," a U.S. official told Axios.
"It is a marked change from previous governments, which stated that both the state and the 'resistance' — synonymous with Hezbollah — were responsible for defending the country," Axios reported.
As part of the cease-fire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which took effect on Nov. 27, the Lebanese Army has been deployed in southern Lebanon.
"The Lebanese Army entered areas in southern Lebanon that were previously under Hezbollah's exclusive control and allegedly destroyed military infrastructure and confiscated some of the group's ammunition caches," U.S. officials told Axios.
"A year ago, nobody would have believed this was possible. It is major progress," a U.S. official said.
An Israeli military spokesperson said on Feb. 17, one day before the Israeli army was supposed to fully withdraw from the south, that its troops would remain in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon beyond the Feb. 18 deadline for full withdrawal.
The announcement came hours after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun voiced his "fear" that Israel might not complete its withdrawal as required under the cease-fire terms.