The U.S. State Department has approved the release of $95 million in military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), signaling a strategic effort to bolster Lebanon’s military while countering the growing influence of Hezbollah. The decision comes amid ongoing regional instability, heightened by Hezbollah’s continuous attacks on Israel and its deep ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The U.S. Strategy: Strengthening Lebanon’s Army to Undercut Hezbollah
According to U.S. officials, the aid waiver is part of a broader Trump-era policy to support the Lebanese military in an attempt to diminish Hezbollah’s power within Lebanon. The Iranian-backed terror group, which holds significant political and military control over the country, has faced increasing resistance in recent months, both internally and externally.
However, while the U.S. hopes that strengthening the Lebanese army will help counterbalance Hezbollah, Israel and many regional analysts remain skeptical. The Lebanese Armed Forces have, at times, collaborated with Hezbollah, and key military infrastructure in Lebanon remains under the terror group’s control. Israeli officials have long warned that any aid to the Lebanese military risks indirectly benefiting Hezbollah, either through shared intelligence, resources, or weapons.
Signs of a Shift in Lebanon?
Recent reports suggest that Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon has weakened. For example, in February, security officials at Beirut International Airport refused to allow several flights from Iran to land, suspecting that they were transferring millions of dollars in cash to Hezbollah. In response, Hezbollah supporters blocked roads leading to the airport, prompting the Lebanese army to intervene with tear gas and force the blockade open.
A senior U.S. official described this as a “major test” for the Lebanese military, as it showed a rare moment of defiance against Hezbollah’s dominance.
Additionally, Lebanon’s newly elected president, Gen. Joseph Aoun, was previously the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and is considered a U.S. ally. His government’s official platform has, for the first time in years, declared that only the Lebanese state and its army—not Hezbollah’s so-called “resistance”—are responsible for national defense.
Ceasefire with Israel and Deployment of Lebanese Forces to Southern Lebanon
As part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, the Lebanese army has deployed forces to southern Lebanon, specifically into areas that were previously controlled entirely by Hezbollah. While Hezbollah remains active, U.S. and Israeli officials acknowledge that the Lebanese military has, for the first time in years, taken tangible steps to limit the terror group’s freedom of movement.
An unnamed Israeli official told Axios that a quiet understanding exists between the U.S., Israel, and Lebanon: the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue to maintain a presence in select border positions until the Lebanese military demonstrates that it can fully stabilize the region and ensure Hezbollah does not resume its aggression.
Is the Lebanese Army Truly Independent of Hezbollah?
Despite these developments, Israeli and U.S. intelligence assessments remain cautious. Over the years, Hezbollah has deeply infiltrated every level of Lebanon’s political and military infrastructure, making it difficult to determine where the army’s loyalty truly lies.
Critics argue that past U.S. military assistance to Lebanon has not weakened Hezbollah but instead helped solidify the group’s control. The Iranian-backed terror organization continues to receive advanced weaponry and financial support from Tehran, using Lebanese territory as a launchpad for attacks against Israel.
Israel’s Stance: A Dangerous Gamble?
Israeli officials have long warned that arming the Lebanese army is a gamble that could backfire. During past conflicts, weapons provided to the LAF have ended up in Hezbollah’s hands, either through direct cooperation or because Hezbollah has more power than the state itself.
With Hezbollah launching daily rocket attacks on Israeli towns in the north and Iran’s regional terror network intensifying its aggression, some in Israel’s security establishment see the U.S. decision to unfreeze military aid to Lebanon as wishful thinking rather than a sound strategic move.
Will the Aid Work Against Hezbollah or Strengthen It?
The U.S. hopes that empowering the Lebanese Armed Forces will weaken Hezbollah’s control over Lebanon. However, given Hezbollah’s deep entrenchment in the country and its continued aggression against Israel, many fear that this $95 million in military assistance could end up benefiting the very terror group it is meant to counter.
The coming months will reveal whether this aid leads to a stronger, more independent Lebanese army—or whether it simply strengthens Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon, allowing it to continue waging Iran’s war against Israel from the north.
