The Lebanese Army’s announcement of completing the first phase of Hezbollah’s disarmament south of the Litani River has been met with cautious optimism in Beirut, alongside skepticism and scrutiny from Washington, sources told Nidaa Al-Watan newspaper.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials described the development as a “promising start” but “far from sufficient,” while U.S. diplomats and military officials continue to press Beirut to accelerate progress.

Lebanese authorities have framed the army’s efforts as tangible and effective, yet American sources described the initiative as largely symbolic.

“Hezbollah continues to declare it will not surrender its weapons, which undermines the Lebanese Army’s ability to enforce order and eliminate illegal arms,” one U.S. official said.

The army report, presented by Commander General Rodolf Haykal, omitted a timeline for the second phase of disarmament, fueling speculation that Hezbollah may be employing stalling tactics.

U.S. and Israeli officials reportedly view the first phase as falling short of expectations and have called for additional inspections. Washington maintains that financial and military aid to Lebanon is contingent on measurable progress toward full state sovereignty. A former diplomat noted that the Trump administration has rejected Beirut’s concerns about triggering civil unrest or the incomplete withdrawal of Israeli forces, emphasizing that Hezbollah’s commitment currently extends only to disarmament south of the Litani.

A U.S. military source added that Hezbollah has provided no concrete information about its weapons or personnel north of the Litani. The army’s achievements, the source said, were largely informed by U.S. intelligence or “found by chance,” with Israel serving as a primary intelligence provider, which may explain Washington’s cautious response.

Despite U.S. attention being divided across multiple fronts—from Venezuela to developments in Iran—President Donald Trump remains engaged with Lebanon’s role in regional security.

“Hezbollah is terrible in Lebanon, but overall… we enjoy peace in the Middle East,” one U.S. diplomat said, citing Trump’s remarks.

Analysts note that the Trump administration’s “Donroe Doctrine,” inspired by the Monroe Doctrine, emphasizes U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere while confronting Iran-backed threats abroad. Under this framework, Lebanon serves as a “testing ground” to weaken the so-called “Axis of Resistance.” Measures could include withholding reconstruction aid, endorsing Israeli military operations, and applying direct pressure through Washington’s allies, including France and Saudi Arabia. A former Treasury official warned that if the second phase of Hezbollah’s disarmament falters, Trump could sanction Lebanese financial and commercial institutions tied to the group, echoing tactics previously applied in Venezuela. Secondary sanctions could target institutions indirectly funding Hezbollah, with significant economic repercussions.

A former U.S. intelligence official indicated that Israel could expand its ground presence or airstrikes if Hezbollah fails to comply with international demands. Lebanese political elites opposing Hezbollah face a stark choice: push for complete disarmament or risk political isolation. Partial compliance, the official said, encourages proactive measures designed to preserve regional stability through force. Failure to achieve decisive results by mid-2026, under the National Defense Authorization Act, could trigger intensified pressure. Israel is likely to continue receiving implicit U.S. approval for airstrikes north of the Litani if evidence of Hezbollah rearmament grows, reflecting coordination between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump.

According to American sources, Lebanon’s decision-making is struggling to keep pace with rapidly evolving regional dynamics. Officials in Beirut have been urged to act proactively. Washington publicly grants Lebanon a window to implement its disarmament plan, while implicitly signaling that military measures remain an option if diplomacy fails. Partial successes bolster the legitimacy of the Lebanese Army but leave the State and Hezbollah tested under sustained external pressure, highlighting the fragile balance of power in the country.