Lebanon’s Maronite Bishops React to Tensions with Israel

Last week, the Maronite Christian bishops of Lebanon released a statement denouncing Israel’s ongoing military actions in southern Lebanon. They expressed concern that these frequent attacks are pushing the nation closer to war.

The bishops urged all involved parties to uphold the ceasefire and adhere to resolution 1701, emphasizing that Lebanon, being the most vulnerable, should not have to bear the weight of this conflict.

They highlighted the unfairness of involving Lebanese civilians in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, noting the substantial hardships endured by non-combatants during the unrest.

A ceasefire was established in November 2024, aimed at disarming Hezbollah, who had been launching numerous missile strikes against Israeli cities in the preceding year. This followed UNSC Resolution 1701, enacted in 2006 to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which also called for the disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon. The necessity of a recent ceasefire suggests that the earlier resolution wasn’t properly enforced.

Israel has long voiced frustrations about how well the UNIFIL monitoring force is doing in Lebanon, pointing out that Hezbollah hasn’t fully complied with the disarmament requirements. After Hamas initiated its latest conflict in Gaza, Hezbollah had evidently stockpiled enough weaponry to retaliate against Israel.

Once again, Israel has accused Hezbollah of neglecting its responsibilities to disarm, while also criticizing the Lebanese military for what it perceives as a lack of action against Hezbollah’s weaponry. Hezbollah claimed that it won’t disarm as long as Israel continues its assaults on Lebanon.

IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani remarked at a press conference that Hamas and Hezbollah seem intent on violating agreements without facing repercussions. He stressed that both groups are challenging the established ceasefire.

On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces reported conducting airstrikes targeting weapons storage facilities linked to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, around 108 Lebanese civilians have lost their lives due to these attacks over the previous year, with Israel alleging that Hezbollah deliberately places weaponry in civilian areas.

The IDF indicated that certain facilities struck were near public recreational centers, reiterating their accusation that Hezbollah cynically uses civilians as human shields.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed concerns that the Lebanese government seemed slow to act on its vow to disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, insisting this must happen to avoid further escalation.

Both Katz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted their determination to prevent Hezbollah rockets from posing a threat to Israeli citizens in the future.

In response, the Lebanese government maintains it is diligently working toward disarming Hezbollah and views Israeli bombings as an infringement on its sovereignty. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun indicated that the French government recognized the need for more than just moral support, calling for additional resources to help the Lebanese Army in their mandate.

Aoun underscored that reconstructing southern Lebanon couldn’t proceed amid ongoing Israeli attacks on civilians and crucial infrastructure. He pointed out that these military actions complicate efforts to confiscate Hezbollah’s armaments.

Despite ongoing Israeli violations, Aoun stated that the Lebanese Army remains committed to operations south of the Litani River, insisting they are following instructions accurately and dismissing Israeli accusations of negligence as unfounded.

He asserted that reconstruction is essential for the area’s population to return and stabilize, but this effort faces continuous disruption from Israeli military actions targeting both civilians and public facilities.

Aoun and other Lebanese officials have accused Israel of targeting equipment intended for reconstruction efforts, though Israel maintains the materials are being appropriated by Hezbollah for fortifications.

On Friday, UNIFIL announced that Israel has constructed a concrete defensive wall along the “Blue Line,” the demarcation boundary into Lebanese territory, potentially encroaching upon 4,000 square meters. UNIFIL stated that this construction is ongoing, with more areas possibly crossing the blue line.

UNIFIL reiterated its call for the IDF to honor the entirety of the Blue Line and withdraw from areas north of it. However, the IDF rejected claims that it was building on Lebanese land, stating instead that it is fortifying barriers along the border as part of a broader initiative that began in 2022.