US announces Lebanese Army aid for disposing of Hezbollah arms caches  

The U.S. Department of War has approved a Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package for Lebanon with an estimated value of $14.2 million.

“The PDA package will build the capability and capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to dismantle weapons caches and military infrastructure of non-state groups, including Hezbollah,” the Department said in a statement. 

“The capabilities in this announcement include: shaped charges; demolition charges; detonating cords; electric and non-electric blasting caps; time blasting fuse igniters; time blasting fuse igniters with shock tubes; time blasting fuses; generators; and transportation,” the statement said.

“The PDA package will provide the LAF with capabilities to conduct patrols and safely remove and dispose of deadly unexploded ordnance (UXO) and Hezbollah weapons caches, in support of the November 2024 Cessation of Hostilities between Lebanon and Israel,” the statement added.

“Through this PDA package, DoW is empowering the LAF in degrading Hezbollah in alignment with the Administration’s priority to counter Iranian-backed terrorist groups in the region,” it said.

Under heavy U.S. pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government last month ordered the army to draw up a plan to disarm the once-dominant Hezbollah, and has since said the army would begin the plan's implementation in the South Litani area.

The plan will then be implemented in the area between the Litani and al-Awali rivers, Beirut and its suburbs, the Bekaa and the rest of the regions.