Hezbollah disarmament remains key test of US-backed Lebanon-Israel security framework- feature

The US-brokered Lebanon-Israel security framework faces a critical test as Lebanese forces deploy in southern pilot zones after Israeli withdrawals. President Aoun's Washington meeting with Trump signaled a shift, with Aoun calling for ending hostilities with Israel. Hezbollah's disarmament remains central, with analysts warning that previous efforts stalled. The framework's expansion depends on LAF performance, Israeli confidence, and Hezbollah's response. Trump also announced lifting a 1985 ban on US airlines flying to Lebanon, a symbolic step toward renewed international trust.

The US-brokered Lebanon-Israel security framework is entering a delicate implementation phase, with the key test being Hezbollah's disarmament and the Lebanese Armed Forces' ability to maintain control in southern Lebanon. President Joseph Aoun met President Donald Trump in Washington on July 21, 2026, where Aoun described the framework's ultimate goal as 'ending the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel forever.' Israeli forces have begun withdrawing from designated areas, allowing Lebanese army units to deploy in pilot zones. Marwan Abdallah, head of Kataeb's foreign affairs, said the process requires continued external guarantees, suggesting the US army could play a monitoring role. Analyst Joe Truzman cautioned that previous disarmament efforts stalled and that expansion depends on sustained LAF performance, Israeli confidence, Hezbollah's response, and external support. Trump also announced lifting a 1985 ban on US airlines flying to Lebanon, a symbolic move toward renewed trust, though actual flights depend on regulatory and airline decisions. The article notes that Hezbollah's military position is connected to a regional logistical network from Iran through Iraq and Syria, with Syrian authorities recently intercepting weapons shipments.