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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syy6sqpvwg#autoplay
Israel Dismisses Lebanese Army Claim that Hizbullah Has Been Disarmed South of the Litani
(Ynet News) Itamar Eichner - The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has claimed that it has succeeded in disarming Hizbullah south of the Litani River. However, an Israeli official warned Thursday that Hizbullah is actively rearming and rebuilding its capabilities with Iranian support. "Suitcases of cash are moving from Tehran to Hizbullah through Turkey," he said. "Lebanon is not preventing the entry of Iranian Quds Force operatives into its territory. Some are operating under diplomatic cover, as we've seen in the past." While Hizbullah continues to maintain a large fighting force, the official said the current Israeli strategy is to intensify its "mowing the grass" policy - referring to sustained, limited strikes aimed at degrading Hizbullah's capabilities without triggering full-scale war. He added that Prime Minister Netanyahu left his recent summit with President Trump with the understanding that the U.S. would support any Israeli decision on Lebanon. Both Jerusalem and Washington share the view that the Lebanese government is too weak to disarm Hizbullah on its own. The Prime Minister's Office on Thursday called the steps taken so far by Lebanon an "encouraging beginning," but warned they fall far short of meeting the terms of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, which "states clearly, Hizbullah must be fully disarmed." The Israel Foreign Ministry added that "extensive Hizbullah military infrastructure still exists south of the Litani River. The goal of disarming Hizbullah in southern Lebanon remains far from being achieved.... Hizbullah is rearming faster than it is being disarmed. Furthermore, it is regrettable that there are instances of cooperation between elements within the LAF and Hizbullah." Officials noted that the Lebanese army has avoided areas considered central to Hizbullah's operations - urban centers and its network of underground tunnels. South of the Litani, Hizbullah continues to maintain weapons depots, mortars and short-range rockets. Hizbullah continues to operate from extensive underground facilities. The IDF says the Lebanese army has not entered or dismantled most of these heavily armed and fortified sites, which remain active.