The Lebanese Army has taken control of six Hezbollah-affiliated positions located north of the Litani River, in what officials describe as a voluntary handover by the Iran-backed group. The sites, some of which were discovered independently by the military, contained light and medium-caliber weapons.

Security sources told Nidaa Al-Watan that the move was intended as a gesture of goodwill by Hezbollah amid growing international pressure for the disarmament of non-state actors operating in the country.

The handover comes as discreet, indirect talks are underway between President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah. These backchannel discussions aim to first stabilize the relationship between the two sides, then develop a roadmap for addressing the disarmament issue. Hezbollah is said to acknowledge the end of its military role south of the Litani and has begun to remove overt armed presence in that area. However, discussions regarding its armed presence in other regions are still ongoing, with the group reportedly holding firm to its right to retain weapons.

Informed sources confirmed that U.S. Deputy Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus is expected to visit Beirut in the first half of June, although a final date has not been set. Disarmament, especially that of Hezbollah, will be the primary topic on her agenda.

Analysts warn that any ambiguity or perceived leniency in handling the disarmament issue risks exacerbating tensions. They argue that this could provide Israel with justification for ongoing military strikes on Hezbollah personnel and weapons depots across southern Lebanon.

Israeli forces recently targeted the towns of Toul, located north of the Litani, and Touline, situated to the south, reinforcing suspicions that Hezbollah continues to maintain active weapons storage sites in these areas.