Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef (Joe) Reji told Al Jazeera he received alerts from sources in the Arab world and beyond indicating Israel intends an extensive military operation in Lebanon, as Beirut maintains diplomatic contacts to prevent it, according to an X post by journalist Itay Blumental during the 3-hour period ending at 2:47 p.m. UTC on December 12, 2025. Reji stated meetings of the Mechanism Committee overseeing the southern Lebanon ceasefire are not normal negotiations, though Lebanon aspires to return to the agreement. He criticized Hezbollah and Iran, noting Hezbollah's weapons over the past two years have done nothing to help Gaza or protect Lebanon, with government disarmament dialogues refused by the group and blamed on Tehran's negative regional role, per Blumental's report. Blumental noted the statement comes hours after reports of IDF preparations for intense attacks in Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, including Air Force exercises last week toward a deadline at month's end, as Lebanese officials requested more time from Americans. These developments follow earlier reports on December 12 of IDF reservists observing Hezbollah operatives posing as farmers near outposts at five points in southern Lebanon, including Nabatieh, during the period ending at 11:16 a.m. UTC, according to journalist Amir Bohbot citing Brigadier General Yuval Gaz.
