US envoy says Israel’s turn to ‘comply’ as Lebanon moves to disarm Hezbollah

Key Takeaways:

• U.S. envoy Tom Barrack urged Israel to comply with cease-fire terms.
• The statement was issued on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.
• Lebanon simultaneously launched a process to disarm Hezbollah.
• Both actions stem from the cease-fire that halted Israel’s war with the group.
• The envoy framed Israeli compliance as the next step toward lasting stability.

The Envoy’s Warning
U.S. diplomat Tom Barrack on Monday declared it was Israel’s “turn to comply,” calling on Jerusalem to “honour commitments under a ceasefire” that ended its war with Hezbollah. His brief statement underscored Washington’s expectation that all parties observe the truce in full.

Beirut’s New Push
The envoy’s remarks came just hours after the Lebanese government announced it had “launched a process to disarm the militant group,” a reference to Hezbollah. The move, still in its early stages, aims to strip the organization of its arsenal—an issue at the heart of Lebanon’s political debate and regional security.

A Fragile Cease-Fire
The cease-fire that halted the Israel-Hezbollah conflict set out obligations on both sides. Barrack’s comments suggested that Lebanon’s latest initiative places the spotlight back on Israel’s own responsibilities under that agreement.

Next Steps
By coupling his call with Beirut’s disarmament plan, Barrack signaled U.S. support for parallel progress. Whether these twin tracks—Lebanese disarmament efforts and Israeli compliance—can advance in tandem will likely determine the durability of a truce still tested by mistrust on both sides.