Overview
- Final text of the National Defense Authorization Act released this week would tie future assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces to demonstrable progress in disarming Hezbollah, with a vote expected soon.
- The bill mandates a Department of Defense and CENTCOM report by June 30, 2026 that includes a rubric to assess LAF progress and options to suspend aid if the force is judged unwilling to act.
- A bipartisan House letter led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Jefferson Shreve urges President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to move immediately to disarm Hezbollah, warning delay risks renewed conflict.
- Washington has approved more than $237 million for Lebanese security forces, including about $192.7 million for the LAF and $45 million for the Internal Security Forces, reflecting Lebanon’s heavy reliance on external support.
- Lebanese officials say the LAF is close to completing Phase 1 south of the Litani and plans to begin Phase 2 between the Litani and Awali after New Year, while Hezbollah refuses to discuss giving up arms until an Israeli withdrawal and international assessments of any rebuilding remain disputed.