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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rycifxpmbl
Israel Warns Hizbullah Is Rebuilding
(Ynet News) Itamar Eichner - The U.S. has asked Israel to give Lebanon more time to complete the demilitarization of southern Lebanon, meaning the area south of the Litani River. U.S. officials told Lebanon that if it does not act now, Washington will not be able to stop Israel from acting on its own. Israel's message to the Americans, and through them to Lebanon, is that it will not wait indefinitely. Israeli assessments hold that the Lebanese government wants to disarm Hizbullah but lacks the ability to do so. Hizbullah still retains significant power in Lebanon, especially in the south, and is now working to restore its capabilities. Israeli officials describe a renewed flow of Iranian money to the terrorist group, primarily through Turkey. A security arrangement with Syrian President al-Sharaa is deadlocked over Israel's demand that southern Syria be demilitarized. Israel is seeking guarantees to preserve a humanitarian corridor for Druze communities in Sweida province, while Syria opposes any step it views as infringing on its sovereignty. Officials are looking for a mechanism that would ensure the free flow of humanitarian aid to the Druze. Israel will not withdraw from areas it has entered until it is confident that demilitarization is real and humanitarian access to the Druze is guaranteed.