U.S. Partners with Israel, France to Strengthen Lebanese Armed Forces amid Fragile Ceasefire

The United States is working with Israel, France, and other international partners to bolster the training and capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as part of ongoing efforts to ensure security in southern Lebanon.

The U.S. is coordinating these efforts through Army Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers III, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Central, and the State Department.

The Pentagon announced that “the ceasefire between Israel and the terrorist group Lebanese Hezbollah is holding.” However, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah is showing signs of strain after Hezbollah fired two projectiles toward Israeli-occupied territory. The incident, which took place for the first time since the ceasefire, occurred amid repeated Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.

At least 11 people were killed and three others injured in Israeli strikes, according to Lebanese authorities. Israeli military officials confirmed targeting dozens of Hezbollah positions throughout Lebanon. Hezbollah described the attack as a “defensive warning strike,” while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their actions were in response to threats posed by Hezbollah, violating the ceasefire. Both parties have accused each other of violating the agreement, as reports from Beirut mentioned drones flying overhead at low altitudes.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded to claims of ceasefire violations, stating that Israel is not violating the understandings but is, in fact, enforcing them in response to Hezbollah's violations. He emphasized that Hezbollah's presence south of the Litani River is a fundamental breach of the agreement and must be addressed immediately. Sa’ar reiterated that Israel is committed to the successful implementation of the ceasefire but warned that any violations would lead to enforcement, stressing that Israel would not tolerate a return to the situation that existed before October 6, 2023.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Hezbollah's actions as a serious violation and vowed retaliation. The U.S. and France have urged Israel to avoid breaching the ceasefire terms, calling for restraint on all sides.

U.S. officials, including Maj. Gen. Jeffers and Amos Hochstein, who co-chairs the implementation and monitoring mechanism for the ceasefire, are working alongside the IDF, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and France to ensure compliance and maintain stability in southern Lebanon.