Jerusalem, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has said progress towards an agreement with Lebanon on disarming Hezbollah cannot be achieved unless the Lebanese Armed Forces significantly improve their effectiveness on the ground.
Zamir made the remarks during a visit to Israeli troops operating near the Lebanese border, where he said the Israel Defense Forces remained committed to removing Hezbollah’s military presence south of the Litani River and advancing the broader objective of disarming the group.
“This objective cannot be advanced as part of a desired agreement with the Lebanese government as long as the Lebanese Armed Forces do not significantly improve their effectiveness on the ground,” Zamir said.
He also said Israel’s updated defence concept involved maintaining troops in forward positions, including areas beyond its international border. Israeli forces currently control a buffer zone extending roughly 10 km into southern Lebanon, according to US officials.
The next round of US-mediated Israel-Lebanon talks is expected to take place in Rome in October. The talks were originally planned for September but were postponed. A June framework envisaged the disarmament of Hezbollah, deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon and a phased Israeli withdrawal from the area.
Implementation of the framework has remained stalled amid continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and disputes over Israeli troop positions. Lebanon has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from its territory.
Zamir’s comments came days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would continue targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon and warned of stronger military action if the group attacked Israel.
Netanyahu said Israeli forces had destroyed what he described as major Hezbollah positions around the Beaufort and Ali al-Taher ridges. Israel has also said it destroyed more than 2 km of underground Hezbollah infrastructure at Ali al-Taher.
The developments come as international efforts focus on strengthening the Lebanese military ahead of the planned end of the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon.
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