Israel hits Hezbollah targets in Lebanon ahead of disarmament deadline

Israel said its air force struck Hezbollah targets across southern and northeastern Lebanon just ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline for the group to disarm, part of the aftermath of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that ended the last major round of fighting between Israel and the militant group. The Israeli military described the actions as hits on Hezbollah infrastructure sites and launching locations at a compound used to train and educate members, as well as facilities that stored weapons. The strikes came as the joint monitoring committee enforcing the ceasefire—comprising the United States, France and United Nations peacekeepers deployed along the Israel-Lebanon border—met to review compliance with the truce.

In Paris, U.S., Saudi and French officials were set to participate in a meeting with Lebanon’s army commander, Gen. Rodolph Haikal, to discuss ways to bolster the Lebanese army’s presence along the border and deter renewed fighting. Reuters cited European and Lebanese diplomats as saying the gathering is also intended to deter Israel from escalating tensions and to weigh how political dynamics at home in Lebanon could affect Hezbollah’s disarmament efforts. The Lebanese government has said its army should clear Hezbollah’s armed presence from the border area south of the Litani River by year’s end.

"The fire belt of Israeli airstrikes is to honor the mechanism’s meeting tomorrow," Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said during a Beirut session, describing the strikes as an Israeli message to the Paris talks. The AP also quoted Berri framing the strikes as timing their impact with the border-monitoring mechanism’s engagement.

Earlier this week, Israel said it killed a Hezbollah operative in southern Lebanon who was collecting intelligence on Israeli forces and taking part in efforts to reestablish Hezbollah infrastructure. The IDF described the individual as involved in Hezbollah’s attempts to rebuild its footprint in the area.

Analysts and diplomats told Reuters that the Paris meeting shows a continued effort by Western powers to prevent a broader flare-up while pressing Lebanon to curb Hezbollah’s weapons capabilities. They also cautioned that domestic politics in Lebanon—where parliamentary elections are anticipated in 2026—could slow the pace of disarmament, particularly if factions contest who should lead the disarmament push. The Lebanese government has repeatedly signaled that the army should secure the border south of the Litani, a goal that remains contested by various political actors inside the country.

The dispute over Hezbollah’s weapons and the potential for escalation keep the border region tense, even as international actors seek to keep the peace in place. U.S., French and Saudi officials are closely watching the situation, while the UN and regional partners emphasize the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and avoiding steps that could undermine the fragile balance along the Lebanon-Israel frontier.

The events unfold as Israel continues to warn Hezbollah against testing the restraint of the regional and international coalition guarding the border. Jerusalem has argued that Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and its ability to train fighters near civilian areas pose a persistent threat, prompting periodic strikes along the frontier to deter future attacks. In parallel, diplomats emphasize that any progress toward Hezbollah’s disarmament will hinge on Lebanon’s political environment, regional security assurances, and the ability of the army and allied international forces to maintain a credible security presence on the ground.