New Lebanon war likely if Hezbollah not disarmed, US warns

American envoy implores Beirut to dismantle Hezbollah’s military wing, warning that if the Shi’ite terror group is not disarmed, a new war with Israel is likely.

By World Israel News Staff

A new large-scale military conflict is likely to erupt between Israel and the Iranian-backed Shi’ite terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon, a senior US official warned on Monday, if Beirut fails to disarm Hezbollah forces.

In a lengthy post to his X account, Ambassador Tom Barrack, who represents the US both in Turkey and Syria, exhorted the Lebanese government to fulfill its obligations under the November 2024 deal brokered by the Biden administration and the Macron government, ending Israel’s ground incursion into Lebanon.

Under the terms of the agreement, Beirut committed to removing Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon, deploying Lebanese army forces to the area to prevent the return of Hezbollah terrorists, and the disarming of all paramilitary groups, including Hezbollah.

Lebanon has claimed to have made significant inroads in dismantling Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure and seizing the group’s heavy weapons.

However, Beirut has yet to lay out a concrete timetable for disarming Hezbollah forces north of the Litani River.

Lebanon is “stuck in the middle” on Hezbollah disarmament, the Atlantic Council think tank noted on October 10th.

Hezbollah’s “foreign control undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty, deters investment, and erodes public confidence and is a constant red flag to Israel,” Barrack wrote.
“Should Beirut continue to hesitate, Israel may act unilaterally – and the consequences would be grave.”

“If Beirut fails to act, [Hezbollah’s] military arm will inevitably face major confrontation with Israel at a moment of Israel’s strength and Iran backed [Hezbollah’s] weakest point.”

“Now is the time for Lebanon to act.”