Report: UN Uncovers Over 225 Weapons Caches in Southern Lebanon Since Ceasefire

During the fragile period of calm since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon has uncovered more than 225 weapons caches in the south of the country and handed the findings over to the Lebanese army, according to an official statement released yesterday, as reported by kataeb.org.

The agreement, which came into effect last November, effectively ended more than a year of hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed organization, including two months of intense warfare. Under the terms of the agreement, Hezbollah forces were supposed to withdraw north of the Litani River, and Israel committed to pulling all of its troops from southern Lebanon. However, Israel has maintained a military presence in five areas it defines as "strategic."

Alongside the Israeli withdrawal, the Lebanese army began deploying in the south and dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure in the area. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) noted in its statement that since the ceasefire took effect on November 27, “peacekeeping forces have located more than 225 weapons caches and handed them over” to the Lebanese army.

UNIFIL is also a member of the joint ceasefire monitoring committee, alongside mediators France and the United States, and the governments of Israel and Lebanon. The international force emphasized that “with UNIFIL's assistance,” the Lebanese army has “redeployed its forces to more than 120 permanent positions south of the Litani.” However, the statement noted that a “full deployment [of the army] is delayed due to the presence of Israeli forces on Lebanese territory.”

Israel continues to carry out regular airstrikes within Lebanese territory, claiming they target Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure. The ceasefire agreement is based on a UN Security Council resolution, which stipulates that the Lebanese army and UNIFIL are to be the only military forces in southern Lebanon, and calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated last month that the Lebanese army is now deployed in more than 85 percent of the southern region. Lebanese authorities have expressed their commitment to establishing a state monopoly on the use of arms, though Aoun noted that Hezbollah’s disarmament is “a sensitive issue” that requires dialogue.

Hezbollah, which for years was a dominant force in Lebanon, was significantly weakened in its latest conflict with Israel.