Israel says Hezbollah disarmament unrealistic without full-scale invasion

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said that fully disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon is unrealistic without a full-scale invasion, even as Israeli troops continue advancing towards the Litani River, according to comments reported.

The assessment, reported by Israeli media, reflects the military’s view that eliminating the group’s remaining capabilities would require broader ground operations that Israel does not intend to undertake. 

The IDF said its forces are expected to complete the capture of territory roughly eight to 10 kilometres from the border with Israel within the next week. Such a move, it added, would reduce Hezbollah’s ability to fire anti-tank missiles and increase warning time for incoming projectiles.

Israeli forces have been operating across several divisions in southern Lebanon, including units deployed near the coast and deeper inland, with efforts focused on areas up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometres north of the border.

The military has previously relied on air strikes, but says ground presence is now aimed at limiting threats more effectively.

According to the report, the IDF faces particular difficulty locating and neutralising dispersed rocket stockpiles positioned north of the Litani River, which remain a key operational challenge.

The military also indicated it may maintain a security buffer zone of two to four kilometres inside Lebanese territory after hostilities subside, where troops would monitor and respond to activity extending further north. No permanent troop presence is planned between that buffer and the Litani, it said.

The IDF added that around 1,000 Hezbollah members have been killed since the latest escalation began, though it did not provide independent verification of the figure.

By Aghakazim Guliyev