The statement drew immediate outrage in Washington, prompting senior members of Congress to question future U.S. military aid.
By United with Israel Staff
The United States has informed Lebanon that it is canceling the planned visit of Lebanese Army Chief of Staff Rodolphe Haykal, which was scheduled for Tuesday evening, according to a report by the Lebanese channel MTV.
MTV, which opposes Hezbollah, reported that the cancellation stems from Washington’s objection to a statement released by the Lebanese army on Sunday. In that statement, the army claimed:
“The Israeli enemy insists on violating Lebanese sovereignty, creating instability in Lebanon, and delaying the full deployment of the army in the south. The latest of these condemnable attacks was a strike against a UNIFIL patrol on Nov. 16, 2025. The army command confirms that it is acting in coordination with friendly countries to put an end to the ongoing violations by the Israeli enemy, which require immediate action as they constitute a dangerous escalation.”
The statement drew immediate outrage in Washington, prompting senior members of Congress to criticize the army’s leadership and question future U.S. military aid. “Senators Lindsey Graham and Joni Ernst launched a sharp attack on the army leadership, saying it demonstrates weakness toward Hezbollah and undermines the trust Washington has built with the Lebanese Armed Forces,” MTV reported.
Graham directly condemned Haykal, asserting that the Lebanese army is not a sound investment for the United States. “It is clear that the army chief—because of his approach toward Israel as an enemy and his minimal efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s weapons—represents a huge setback for U.S. efforts to advance Lebanon,” Graham said. “This combination makes the Lebanese Armed Forces not a particularly good investment for America.”
Earlier this month, the U.S. approved $230 million in military assistance aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s arsenal. Since then, the Lebanese army has taken no substantive action to implement the program.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues its attempts to rebuild military infrastructure across southern Lebanon, prompting near-daily Israeli strikes to eliminate these threats and prevent escalation. The repeated targeting of Hezbollah positions underscores Israel’s commitment to defending its northern border and neutralizing the terrorist group’s capabilities.
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