EU grants 100 million euros in aid to Lebanese Army to help 'remove Hezbollah's threat'

BEIRUT — The European Union announced Thursday that it will provide 100 million euros in aid to the Lebanese Army, which will "help the Lebanese state assert its monopoly over arms and disarm non-state actors such as Hezbollah," according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

“The renewal of the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon offers a tenuous chance to pull the country back from the brink,” Kallas said. "The best way to remove Hezbollah’s threat is to strengthen Lebanon’s state, institutions, and sovereignty. Today’s funding helps to do that."

The EU Council approved the funding on Thursday, bringing total recent EU assistance to Lebanon to 182 million euros. “Today’s decision underscores the EU’s continued engagement with Lebanon in promoting peace, stability and supporting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and State-building efforts,” the council said in a statement.

Israel and Lebanon agreed Wednesday to “implement a cease-fire” and establish “pilot zones” under Lebanese Army control following two days of talks in Washington. Despite the announcement, Israeli strikes continued on Thursday in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah also carried out attacks on Israeli targets.

The aid package, approved under the European Peace Facility program, is intended to “enhance the overall capacity of the army to monitor, control and secure Lebanese territory, as well as enforce the state’s monopoly on weapons and ensure civilian protection,” according to the EU.

The program is designed to improve the Lebanese Army's capabilities in five areas through equipment and training: territorial control, multi-domain awareness, maritime security, protection of critical military sites, and healthcare.

The Lebanese Army has previously received EPF support of 6 million euros in December 2022, 16 million euros in September 2024, and 60 million euros in January 2025.