The Biden administration has decided to redirect over $100 million in military aid from Israel and Egypt to Lebanon in an effort to reinforce a ceasefire agreement brokered between Israel and Hezbollah. The State Department notified Congress of this decision, indicating a transfer of $95 million from Egypt and $7.5 million from Israel to support the Lebanese army and government.
The majority of the funds will be allocated to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), crucial in upholding the ceasefire established in November after a prolonged conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The assistance aims to enhance the LAF's presence in southern Lebanon and complement the U.N. peacekeeping mission along the Blue Line, the border between Israel and Lebanon.
The State Department emphasized the importance of empowering the LAF for successful ceasefire implementation, highlighting the need for robust support from the U.S. and other partners. Both Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to withdraw their forces from southern Lebanon by the end of January, with oversight by the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers.
U.S. security aid to the LAF is intended to strengthen Lebanon's legitimate military force, safeguard territorial integrity, combat terrorist threats like ISIS, and ensure security for both Lebanese citizens and U.S. personnel. The State Department dismissed concerns about Hezbollah infiltration within the LAF, underscoring the LAF's independence and non-sectarian nature.
In a separate announcement, the State Department disclosed plans to allocate $15 million to Lebanon's Internal Security Forces to enhance law enforcement capabilities and support the LAF in southern regions. Additionally, $3.06 million will be provided to the Palestinian Authority police for operations in the West Bank, and $2.5 million to Jordan's Public Security Directorate to manage public demonstrations.
