The United States has redirected $95 million in military aid initially allocated to Egypt to Lebanon, bolstering the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) over tensions with Hezbollah and efforts to maintain the ceasefire with Israel, US officials confirmed.
This shift is part of a broader $400 million initiative to equip the LAF, particularly in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah holds considerable influence. The funds will help the Lebanese military establish state control over areas once controlled by Hezbollah, especially following Israeli withdrawals under the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.
Amos Hochstein, the US envoy overseeing the transition, recently met in Naqoura, where Israeli forces began pulling back after having violated the ceasefire agreements several times, with the LAF now taking over strategic territories and weapons depots. The US State Department hailed the LAF as a key partner in countering Hezbollah’s threats and reinforcing Lebanese sovereignty.
While US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised continued support for Lebanon’s security institutions, critics argue the LAF has yet to fully confront Hezbollah’s dominance in Lebanese governance. This redirection of funds follows growing concerns in Congress about Egypt’s human rights issues, despite Cairo receiving its full military aid package in September.