Lebanese army failing to curb Hezbollah activity in south, Israeli officials tell US

Jerusalem Post/Middle East"There is no real friction between the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah. Hezbollah would not want anyone to collect its weapons or destroy its infrastructure," a senior security official said.Follow us on GoogleA Lebanese army officer looks up at an Israeli drone while standing on an armoured vehicle in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, a village in southern Lebanon, as Lebanese soldiers deploy in one of three pilot zones following the withdrawal of Israeli forces under a US-brokered plan, July 26, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/ZOHRA BENSEMRA)AUGUST 28, 2026 04:39Israel has conveyed a message to the United States through security channels that a pilot program in southern Lebanon, which began being implemented following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Beirut and Jerusalem, has failed, Walla reported Thursday.Israel provided information regarding the Lebanese Army’s activities and expressed, in no uncertain terms, its dissatisfaction with the army’s operations against Hezbollah terror infrastructure and operatives in the area.According to security officials, "The Lebanese Army is not destroying terror infrastructure based on the coordinates provided to it by the IDF, while at the same time requesting more coordinates, even though it is not doing anything about it."Lebanese army continues to cooperate with HezbollahThe IDF has criticized the Lebanese Army’s performance, claiming that it is not acting effectively against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. According to assessments, Iran, which previously provided significant support to the organization, is currently focused on its own survival struggles and is not rushing to come to Hezbollah’s aid.According to assessments by senior IDF officials, Lebanese Army Chief of Staff Rudolf Haykal continues to cooperate with Hezbollah, fears confrontation with commanders of the Shi’ite organization in southern Lebanon, and is ineffective in carrying out searches, locating terror infrastructure and finding weapons.Lebanese army troops deploy at the entrance of the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, Lebanon, July 21, 2026 (credit: REUTERS/ZOHRA BENSEMRA)"There is no real friction between the Lebanese Army and Hezbollah. Hezbollah would not want anyone to collect its weapons or destroy its infrastructure," a senior security official said."The Lebanese army chief of staff is not going above and beyond. There is no real enforcement. The Lebanese Army is more focused on coordination," the official said. "It is clear that Israel is not satisfied, and therefore it is not rushing to agree on additional pilot areas."The official added: "The Lebanese Army reached a point, entered the underground opening a few meters, turned around and left. They did not dare to go inside. We assess that they will not deal with anything. Despite this, they insist on receiving more coordinates."Follow us on Google