The Lebanese army has stepped up patrols and intensified its activities in the southern city of Nabatiyeh following days of heightened Israeli military operations, reviving questions over whether the move could form part of a broader effort to establish exclusive state control over weapons, including Hezbollah’s arsenal.

Security sources told L’Orient Today that the army will conduct daily patrols in Nabatiyeh . The troops will be based in the Zahrani area and, for the time being, will not carry out inspections or searches.

Lebanese media reported that the army was increasing its patrols and reinforcing existing positions across Nabatiyeh following coordination among President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, as well as discussions between Aoun and Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal.

According to Al-Modon, the move is intended primarily to strengthen the army’s presence and contain the fallout from the Israeli escalation, rather than launch an immediate operation to disarm Hezbollah or declare Nabatiyeh a weapons-free city.

Other Lebanese media outlets also reported increased military activity in the city.

Al Jadeed reported that the army was preparing to deploy troops at several fixed positions inside Nabatiyeh while expanding patrols through its neighborhoods. Annahar likewise reported a stronger army presence and regular patrols, saying the move was partly intended to reassure residents concerned that Israeli forces could advance toward Nabatiyeh after taking control of the nearby Ali al-Taher Ridge.

The Lebanese Armed Forces later clarified that reports describing the activity as the start of a new deployment were inaccurate.

The army said its units had already been deployed throughout Nabatiyeh and other parts of southern Lebanon outside areas controlled by Israel before the latest escalation.

Instead, the army said it had “intensified its missions” in several areas to reassure residents. 

The military command stressed that army units had already been deployed in all areas not under Israeli occupation, particularly in the Nabatiyeh  region, both before the latest developments and during the current period.