Lebanon’s Hezbollah is seeking to “regain strength and rearm with the assistance of Iran,” Israel’s U.N. ambassador informed the Security Council on Monday, emphasizing that the group remains a “serious threat” to Israel and regional stability. Recent U.S. intelligence, as reported by Reuters, indicated that Iran-backed Hezbollah is likely aiming to replenish its stockpiles and forces, posing a lasting threat to the U.S. and its allies in the region.
After over a year of conflict, Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a 60-day ceasefire brokered by the U.S., set to commence on November 27. The agreement mandates the deployment of the Lebanese army to south Lebanon as Israeli troops and Hezbollah withdraw their forces. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the terms of the ceasefire.
“While Hezbollah’s military capabilities were significantly diminished during the conflict, they are now making efforts to rebuild and rearm with the support of Iran,” Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon underscored in a letter addressed to the 15-member Security Council. The Hezbollah and Iran missions to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to requests for comments on Danon’s statements. A senior Lebanese source with ties to Hezbollah refuted the accusations.
Danon stressed the importance of the Lebanese government and the international community focusing on preventing the smuggling of weapons, ammunition, and financial aid through the Syria-Lebanon border, as well as air and sea routes. Following the ceasefire agreement, there have been multiple instances of attempted transfers of weapons and funds to Hezbollah, as noted by Danon in the letter seen by Reuters. He highlighted that Hezbollah’s ongoing military buildup has occasionally occurred in close proximity to U.N. peacekeeping bases and patrols in southern Lebanon.
In his letter, Danon criticized UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping force authorized by the Security Council under resolution 1701, for not taking decisive action to prevent the use of its operational area for hostile activities. Resolution 1701 tasks UNIFIL with supporting Lebanese forces in ensuring that southern Lebanon is free from armed personnel, assets, and weapons other than those belonging to the Lebanese government. Despite UNIFIL’s supporting role, top U.N. officials have emphasized that the force cannot be held accountable for the failure of parties to implement resolution 1701.
“We are concerned that lessons have not been learned, and that today, we are witnessing yet another refusal by the Force to adapt to Hezbollah’s changing modus operandi… as well as a refusal to fully implement their mandate,” Danon remarked.
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols, additional reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Alistair Bell)
