Israel-Gaza live updates: Lebanon army says it completed 1st phase of disarmament plan

Reacting to the Lebanese army's announcement that it had achieved the first phase of its plan to disarm non-state groups including Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Thursday that disarmament efforts have so far been insufficient.

Lebanon's efforts to disarm armed groups "are an encouraging beginning, but they are far from sufficient, as evidenced by Hezbollah's efforts to rearm and rebuild its terror infrastructure with Iranian support," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

-ABC News' Morgan Winsor and Jordana Miller

Lebanon's military announced Thursday that it had achieved the goal of a state monopoly on arms in the south of the country in an "effective and tangible way," but noted this was only "the first phase" and that the work "is still ongoing, until the handling of unexploded ordnance and tunnels is completed."

The Lebanese army had given itself until the end of 2025 to complete the first phase of its plan to clear the south and disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah. The Iran-backed group has been resisting attempts to disarm it, as Israel continues its bombardment of the south and east of the country where Hezbollah has traditionally held sway.

Thursday's statement does not mention Hezbollah or others by name, but notes that the Lebanese army aims to prevent "armed groups from irreversibly rebuilding their capabilities."

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah or Israel.

-ABC News' Morgan Winsor

Israel said it used live fire to disperse a crowd at a university in the West Bank in relation to a "terror operation," after receiving "intelligence indications" of an "anticipated gathering in support of terror and incitement to terror that was expected to take place," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement Tuesday.

"At the beginning of the gathering, IDF and Israel Border Police forces were dispatched to the area of the University, used riot dispersal means, and dispersed the gathering," the IDF said in a statement.

Adding, "Later on, an additional violent confrontation broke out that involved hundreds of suspects, during which rocks were hurled from rooftops in the area toward the forces, posing an immediate threat to them. The forces responded with riot dispersal means and precise fire toward the main violent individuals."

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Diplomatic dialogue has resumed between Israel and Syria after several months, according to Israeli and U.S. officials.

"The dialogue took place as part of President Trump's vision for promoting peace in the Middle East, during which Israel emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of its citizens and preventing threats to its borders," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

"Israel reiterated its commitment to promoting regional stability and security and to the need to promote economic cooperation for the benefit of both countries," Netanyahu's office said.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller