Netanyahu Conveys Direct Message to Ortagus
12/3/2025 10:45:00 AM
U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus arrived in Beirut today after concluding her visit to Israel. She had attended the Naqoura meeting for the mechanism monitoring the ceasefire agreement.
Ortagus’s visit comes amid U.S. pressure to advance efforts to disarm Hezbollah in South Lebanon, alongside Israeli warnings of a potential large-scale military operation if progress is not made. Her arrival also precedes tomorrow’s Lebanese Cabinet session, during which ministers will review the army’s third report on the matter.
Before leaving Israel, Ortagus met with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who told her that Hezbollah is the party violating Lebanon’s sovereignty, and that disarming the group is decisive for Lebanon’s future and Israel’s security. Channel 14 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant presented Ortagus with data on Hezbollah’s growing capabilities, as well as information on Lebanese Army activity to contain the group’s weapons; efforts Netanyahu said remain insufficient.
Israeli media noted that the information was shared as part of preparations for today’s Naqoura meeting.
Lebanese media reported that Washington is currently pressuring to halt any new Israeli escalation, in order to keep space open for possible negotiations. Diplomatic sources added that several international delegations visiting Beirut this week will deliver the same unified message: the urgent need to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure to avoid an imminent Israeli escalation.
According to the same sources, the Lebanese state has very limited options left, and even the possibility of negotiating with Israel has been overtaken by developments on the ground.
Ortagus’s visit comes amid U.S. pressure to advance efforts to disarm Hezbollah in South Lebanon, alongside Israeli warnings of a potential large-scale military operation if progress is not made. Her arrival also precedes tomorrow’s Lebanese Cabinet session, during which ministers will review the army’s third report on the matter.
Before leaving Israel, Ortagus met with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who told her that Hezbollah is the party violating Lebanon’s sovereignty, and that disarming the group is decisive for Lebanon’s future and Israel’s security. Channel 14 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant presented Ortagus with data on Hezbollah’s growing capabilities, as well as information on Lebanese Army activity to contain the group’s weapons; efforts Netanyahu said remain insufficient.
Israeli media noted that the information was shared as part of preparations for today’s Naqoura meeting.
Lebanese media reported that Washington is currently pressuring to halt any new Israeli escalation, in order to keep space open for possible negotiations. Diplomatic sources added that several international delegations visiting Beirut this week will deliver the same unified message: the urgent need to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure to avoid an imminent Israeli escalation.
According to the same sources, the Lebanese state has very limited options left, and even the possibility of negotiating with Israel has been overtaken by developments on the ground.