U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus is expected to arrive in Lebanon shortly after Eid al-Fitr, with plans to assess the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and review the progress made so far. Ortagus, whose previous visit played a key role in expediting the formation of a government under intense pressure, is set to focus on the volatile situation in southern Lebanon and the contentious issue of Hezbollah’s weapons.

According to Al Modon, citing sources familiar with the trip's organization, Ortagus is expected to push Lebanon’s top officials on disarming Hezbollah — even by force if necessary — or returning the group's weapons to Syria for destruction. Discussions are also likely to address the implementation of Resolution 1680, which reaffirms Resolution 1559. These resolutions call for the Lebanese government to assert full sovereignty without external interference and urge Syria to demarcate its border with Lebanon, starting from the disputed Shebaa Farms area.

Ortagus is reportedly seeking more decisive action on Hezbollah's disarmament. She remains unconvinced that the quantity of arms seized by the Lebanese Army thus far is sufficient and is seeking reassurances that the government and military have the capacity to fully disarm the group, ensuring that the confiscated weapons are destroyed rather than integrated into state control.

Sources say evidence of this approach lies in the Lebanese Army's near-daily practice of detonating confiscated arms to avoid the risks associated with storing them. Notably, the head of the U.S. monitoring committee previously prohibited the army from taking weapons and ammunition left behind by Hezbollah, insisting instead on their destruction.