From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Israel to present US envoy with intel on Hezbollah rearmament – report
Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
Channel 12 reports that Israel plans to present White House Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, who landed in Israel earlier today, with intelligence it says proves Hezbollah is rebuilding and rearming in southern Lebanon, and that the Lebanese Armed Forces are either unable or unwilling to curb the group’s violations.
“Israel needs American legitimacy for any step it takes,” an Israeli official tells the network.
Alongside a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, the envoy will also sit down with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who is expected to outline Israel’s assessment of Hezbollah’s growing capabilities.
In comments published by Channel 12, Sa’ar warns that Hezbollah is “arming itself much faster than it is disarming,” and that responsibility for the situation “lies with the Lebanese government.” He also pointed to ongoing Iranian financial transfers to Hezbollah via Turkey, saying the flow of money must be cut off.
The envoy’s visit comes amid rising concern in Beirut. According to Channel 12, Lebanese officials fear that Israel may launch a major strike in the coming days or weeks, as a December deadline approaches for the so-called “Birthday Operation,” under which the Lebanese army was meant to clear Hezbollah’s weapons from the south – a step widely viewed as unlikely to be carried out.
Recent Lebanese media reports have claimed Israel is sending warnings to Beirut that military action may be imminent once the envoy’s visit concludes.
The Times of Israel Community.