Israel PM Offers ‘Phased’ Withdrawal If Lebanon Disarms Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is ready to support Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah, offering a “phased” troop withdrawal if Beirut follows through on its disarmament plan.

The pledge comes after Lebanon tasked its army with dismantling Hezbollah’s arsenal by year-end, following last year’s war and a ceasefire in November. Despite this, Israel has continued airstrikes and maintains occupation of five strategic areas in southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu said Israel would coordinate with a US-led security mechanism for a gradual military pullback if progress is made.

Hezbollah, weakened by the conflict, has vowed to resist the government’s disarmament move. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is set to vote on extending the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon until August 2026.

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Today’s Israeli Strike in Tripoli Kills Hamas Commander, Seen as Major Setback.

A powerful Israeli airstrike in Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli earlier today has reportedly dealt a significant blow to Hamas operations in the region, following the confirmed elimination of a top commander long tied to cross-border rocket attacks on Israeli cities. The strike, described by Israeli Defence Forces as a targeted operation, is already being interpreted by military analysts as a strategic setback for the Gaza-based group’s foothold in Lebanon.

According to a report by The Times of Israel on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, the Israeli military confirmed that the airstrike killed Mehran Mustafa Bajur, a senior Hamas figure allegedly instrumental in orchestrating and advancing armed operations against Israel from Lebanese territory. In an official statement, the Israeli Defence Forces identified Bajur as a key commander who had spent recent years overseeing rocket fire into Israeli cities such as Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona. The military further claimed that his elimination marks a significant disruption to Hamas’s cross-border aggression from the north.

Bajur was described as a pivotal figure in Hamas’s regional operations, not only for directing attacks but also for enhancing the group’s infrastructure in Lebanon. The IDF stated that he played a leading role in the development of Hamas’s military capabilities in the country and helped facilitate weapons procurement through networks linked to other terror groups. His operational ties reportedly made him a valuable asset in Hamas’s efforts to expand its regional reach beyond Gaza. According to the IDF, his removal represents a “significant blow” to Hamas’s broader ambitions in Lebanon, particularly at a time when Israel remains engaged on multiple fronts.

This development comes amid heightened tensions along Israel’s northern border, where exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah-linked factions have intensified in recent weeks. Observers suggest the targeted killing may deter future rocket attacks from Lebanese soil and signal Israel’s continued resolve to eliminate high-ranking operatives perceived as threats, regardless of their geographic base.