March 17, 2026 – In an unprecedented move to halt the ongoing devastation, the Lebanese government has broken a decades-long taboo by offering direct negotiations with Israel. The proposal aims to secure a ceasefire and eventually disarm Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah’s continued unilateral escalation is severely complicating these diplomatic efforts and raising concerns in Washington about the Lebanese state’s ability to assert control.
Speaking to the Associated Press, ATFL President Ed Gabriel highlighted the growing skepticism among U.S. officials regarding the Lebanese Armed Forces’ (LAF) capacity to enforce state sovereignty and rein in non-state actors:
“They had been very clear with the Lebanese on how important it was to control Hezbollah from doing anything offensively. Hezbollah’s actions have now set back for the time being any resolution of this war and created a lack of confidence by U.S. officials that the Lebanese Armed Forces can control and disarm Hezbollah.”
— Ed Gabriel, President of American Task Force on Lebanon.
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