Israel responds to Lebanese army with map of alleged Hezbollah sites south of Litani

Israel's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Hezbollah is "rearming faster than it is being disarmed," showing a map of alleged Hezbollah compounds, launch sites, and underground networks south of the Litani River.

Lebanon's military had said it had concluded the first phase of a plan to fully deploy across southern Lebanon and disarm non-state groups, notably Hezbollah.

Lebanon's leaders -- President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri -- endorsed the military announcement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the development was encouraging but "far from sufficient."

Israel maintains that despite Lebanon’s efforts, Hezbollah is still attempting to rearm itself in southern Lebanon.

- Fears of a new escalation -

Israel continues to strike Lebanon near daily and occupies five "strategic" hilltop points along the border, the only areas south of the Litani where the military said it has yet to control.

Israel accuses Hezbollah of trying to rebuild its battered military capacity and has said that the Lebanese military’s efforts are not sufficient, raising fears of a new escalation. Lebanon, meanwhile, said Israel's strikes and control of the hilltops were an obstacle to the efforts.

Lebanon also hopes that disarming Hezbollah and other non-state groups will help to bring in money needed for reconstruction after the 2024 war.

Hezbollah says it has been cooperative with the army in the south but will not discuss disarming elsewhere before Israel stops its strikes and withdraws from Lebanese territory.