French, Saudi Arabian, and United States officials met with the head of Lebanon’s army in Paris on Thursday to work toward a roadmap for disarming Hezbollah, as concerns grow that a fragile Israel Lebanon ceasefire could collapse, diplomats said.
The talks bring together key foreign backers of Lebanon’s security framework at a moment of heightened tension, with Israeli air strikes continuing in southern Lebanon and pressure mounting on Beirut to rein in the armed group.
Israel and Lebanon reached a United States brokered ceasefire in 2024 after more than a year of fighting that significantly weakened the Iran backed Hezbollah. Since then, both sides have accused each other of breaches, while Israel has questioned whether the Lebanese army has the capacity or political backing to carry out disarmament.
Diplomats familiar with the Paris discussions said the goal is to firm up conditions for identifying, supporting, and verifying a disarmament process, while discouraging further Israeli escalation. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, according to Reuters.
With parliamentary elections scheduled for 2026, officials fear that domestic rivalries and prolonged political gridlock could deepen instability. President Joseph Aoun is seen as cautious about pressing the issue publicly, worried that overt moves could inflame tensions with Shiite communities in southern Lebanon.
“The situation is extremely precarious and full of contradictions,” one senior official said. “It would not take much to ignite the powder keg.” The official added that Aoun has avoided public confrontation on disarmament to prevent backlash.
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Given the Lebanese army’s limited resources, diplomats said one proposal under discussion would strengthen the existing ceasefire mechanism by adding French and United States military experts, possibly alongside others, working with United Nations peacekeepers.
Officials are also considering two international conferences early next year. One would focus on bolstering the Lebanese army, while another would seek funding for reconstruction, particularly in southern Lebanon. Readers can find related coverage in our Middle East security section and in reporting by Reuters on the ceasefire framework.
As the Paris talks got under way, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported multiple Israeli strikes on towns in the south and in parts of the Bekaa Valley. The Israeli military said it targeted Hezbollah facilities used for training, weapons storage, and artillery launches, arguing that such activity violated understandings reached with Lebanon and posed a threat to Israel. It also said a Hezbollah militant was struck near Taybeh in southern Lebanon.