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The American envoy continues a cease-fire contract of Israel after Lebanon supported the disarmament of Hezbollah

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Tom Barrack, the American special envoy to Lebanon, said on Monday that his team would discuss a possible ceasefire agreement with Israel, after Beirut approved a plan supported by the United States for the Hezbollah terrorist group to disarm.

Barrack, following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, also said that Washington would seek an economic proposal for post-war reconstruction in the country, after months of shuttle diplomacy between the United States and Lebanon. Hezbollah, which the United States has officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization since 1997, remains the most powerful proxy in Iran in the region and has been the subject of many American sanctions.

Barrack should also meet Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Nabih Berri, who often negotiates on behalf of Hezbollah with Washington.

“I think the Lebanese government has taken their part. They have taken the first step,” said Barrack, who is also an American ambassador to Türkiye. “Now what we need is Israel to comply with this equal handshake.”

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Barrack speaks at a press conference in Lebanon

American ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, during a press conference after his meeting with Lebanese president Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, August 18, 2025. (Photo / Hussein Malla)

Hezbollah sparked pressures in the first term of President Donald Trump when Washington has revived implementing measures against his global financial networks, imposed new sanctions and appointed it a transnational criminal organization in 2018.

In the second term of Trump, the administration expanded these measures.

The Treasury Department has announced new sanctions against financiers and front companies linked to Hezbollah, including the designations in March and July targeting oil contraband, senior officials and the group’s financial arm, Al-Qard al-Hassan. The State Department also offered up to $ 10 million for information disturbing Hezbollah’s financial networks and reiterated that Hezbollah should not participate in the Government of Lebanon.

Lebanon’s decision last week to support a Hezbollah disarmament plan made the terrorist group supported by Iran and its allies, who believe that the Israeli army should first withdraw from the five peaks of the hills in southern Lebanon that it has held since the end of its 14 -month war with Hezbollah last November and launch almost daily in the country. Naim Kassem, the secretary general of Hezbollah, promised to fight against efforts to disarm the group, feeling fears of civilian disorders in the country.

“It is our nation together. We live in dignity together, and we build its sovereignty together – or Lebanon will have no life if you hold on the other side and try to face and eliminate us,” said Qassem in a televised speech last week, according to Reuters.

Barracks, Ortagus meets Lebanese officials

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, on the right, meets the American ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy in Syria, Tom Barrack, Special American Special Envoy in the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, and American ambassador in Lebanon Lisa A. Johnson at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, August 18. (Press Office of the Lebanese Presidency via AP)

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Salam, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, said that Qassem’s remarks “bear a veiled threat of civil war, and that no one in Lebanon today wants a civil war, and threatening or by alluding is completely unacceptable”.

Following October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists’ attacks, Hezbollah, launched rocket strikes and artillery fire against Israel, which prompted Israel to respond with air strikes. About 14 months of cross -border combat followed, and Israel has more and more precision strikes targeting Hezbollah commanders and leadership. Large-scale fights have not resumed since Israel and Hezbollah reached a cease-fire agreement in the United States in November 2024, although there were violations.

The Israeli army said that almost daily air strikes in southern Lebanon are intended to weaken the Hezbollah network and compensate for the terrorist group’s efforts to reorganize and rearm.

Barrack warned Hezbollah that he will have “missed an opportunity” if he does not support calls for him to disarm.

Ortagus during the meeting with the United States with Lebanon leaders

The Special Presidential Messenger of the United States in the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, attended the press conference of the American ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, after their meeting with Lebanese president Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Monday, August 18, 2025. (Photo / Hussein Malla)

Aoun and Salam both want to disarm Hezbollah and other non -state armed groups, and asked Israel to stop his attacks and withdraw from the country.

Aoun said he wanted to increase the financing of soldiers short of Lebanon money to strengthen his capacity. He also wants to collect funds from international donors to help rebuild the country.

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The World Bank believes that the Hezbollah and Israel War at the end of 2024 cost $ 11.1 billion in damage and economic losses, as large southern and East Lebanon stretches have been beaten. The country faces an economic crisis paralyzing since 2019.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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