Israeli officials say that even though roughly three weeks have passed since the pilot program to disarm Hezbollah began, the Lebanese Army is “not doing enough” on the ground, according to two Israeli officials who spoke to The Jerusalem Post.
On July 20, 2026, Israel, the United States, and the Lebanese Army launched a security pilot program in southern Lebanon. As part of the initiative, the IDF began withdrawing from and transferring security responsibility and deployment to the Lebanese Army in three villages: Bir al-Sana, Sarifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyah.
One of the officials told the Post that the Lebanese Army has entered the area and even uncovered weapons and ammunition caches, but said that “it is still not enough.”
“The test will be whether the Lebanese Army enters Hezbollah infrastructure and actually confronts the terrorist organization,” the official said.
Another round of talks between the Israeli and Lebanese delegations is expected to take place in September. Israeli officials have made clear that the pilot program will not be expanded to additional areas unless the Lebanese Army fully demilitarizes the area.
Aoun claims talks with Israel have shown progress
Despite Israel’s claims and frustration, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Sunday that progress had been made in negotiations with Israel and that a diplomatic path was preferable to war.
“Since the framework agreement was signed, the scale of Israeli strikes has decreased, allowing Lebanese people to return and enjoy their country,” Aoun said.
Aoun stressed that Lebanon would not relinquish a single inch of its territory, but added that the slogan “what is taken by force can only be returned by force” had proven incorrect in practice.
He also said it was time for residents of southern Lebanon to live in peace and that his goal was to rebuild the country.
