Israeli source warns Hezbollah arsenal needs political breakthrough

An Israeli security source said Sunday that even a full military occupation of southern Lebanon would prove incapable of destroying Hezbollah's weapons stockpile, acknowledging that no purely military solution exists to eliminate the threat posed by the Lebanese group.

Military action 'insufficient'

Speaking to Israel's public broadcaster KAN, the source stated that "even if we occupy all of southern Lebanon, as some suggest, these measures will not be able to destroy Hezbollah's arsenal." The Israeli security establishment believes the group can be further weakened through targeted assassinations and infrastructure strikes, but maintains that such tactics offer no radical solution to eliminate the threat entirely.

The Israeli army is currently employing defensive measures costing approximately $171,500 to mitigate Hezbollah-launched drone strikes, though the source noted this expenditure represents "not a solution" to the underlying conflict. Military action alone remains insufficient without accompanying political progress, the source added, emphasizing the need for long-term deterrence combined with diplomatic efforts to transform the situation on the ground.

Washington talks continue

Lebanon and Israel held a third round of direct negotiations in Washington this week, building upon previous sessions conducted on April 14 and 23 as both sides explore prospects for a broader peace agreement. The Lebanese government is pursuing a comprehensive plan to place all weapons — including those held by Hezbollah — under exclusive state control, a proposal the group has resisted while insisting on retaining its armed capabilities.

The diplomatic push comes as cross-border exchanges of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah persist despite international mediation efforts. Israeli officials have acknowledged that sustainable security arrangements require political agreements rather than purely military campaigns, though substantial gaps remain between Beirut's disarmament goals and Hezbollah's position.

Lebanon death toll mounts

Since launching a large-scale offensive on March 2, Israel has killed more than 2,969 people and injured 9,112 others in Lebanon, according to official figures from Beirut. The violence has displaced over 1.6 million people, compounding an already severe humanitarian crisis as infrastructure destruction mounts across the country's south.

The Israeli military campaign has focused heavily on southern Lebanon and areas suspected of hosting Hezbollah assets, though civilian casualties have drawn international concern. Previous attempts to negotiate ceasefires have faltered over disagreements regarding the future status of Hezbollah's weapons and the deployment of Lebanese state forces along the border.