Beirut – A U.S. envoy delivered a stark ultimatum to Hezbollah on December 11, 2025: surrender precision-guided missiles and drones by January 1, or Israel will launch “major and decisive strikes” targeting Beirut’s southern Dahiya suburbs and the Beqaa Valley, according to European diplomatic sources cited by the pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar newspaper.

The warning, conveyed by U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus during meetings with Lebanese officials, comes as Israel prepares for potential escalation amid Hezbollah’s rearmament efforts north of the Litani River. Pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar reported that despite Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s efforts to elevate the ceasefire oversight committee, Israel views the group’s non-compliance as a violation of the November 2024 truce.

The Dahiya, Hezbollah’s stronghold, and Beqaa Valley have been focal points of past Israeli operations, with recent strikes hitting training camps and missile sites. The ultimatum aligns with U.S. pressure for full disarmament under UN Resolution 1701, with Washington signaling support for unilateral Israeli action if needed.

Hezbollah has rejected negotiations as “Zionist traps,” but the deadline adds urgency to stalled Egyptian mediation. Insight: This brinkmanship tests the ceasefire’s limits, where U.S. diplomacy meets Israel’s security imperatives. For Lebanon’s civilians, our prayers are with you—may restraint avert catastrophe.