Israeli Prime Minister’s Remarks on Lebanon
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that certain Christian villages in Lebanon are expressing a desire for annexation to Israel, seeking protection from Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported militant group.
“Some Christian communities in Lebanon wish to join Israel for our protection against Hezbollah extremists threatening their lives. We aim to safeguard Christians everywhere,” Netanyahu conveyed during a Fox News interview.
He added that the plea for protection comes not only from Lebanese Christians but also from Druze, Sunni Muslims, and many Shiite Muslims.
Netanyahu did not specify which villages had submitted such requests. Immediately, Hanna al-Amir, the leader of the Christian village Rumeish, firmly dismissed these claims, asserting during a Lebanese public television interview that the idea was “completely out of the question.”
According to Amir, “Fifteen Christian towns issued a statement two days ago denying these allegations,” reinforcing their loyalty to Lebanon.
A statement released on Friday by 13 predominantly Christian border villages, Rumeish included, reiterated their dedication to the Lebanese government in response to swirling media reports suggesting some communities were seeking Israeli protection.
The statement emphasized that they possess “no authority or legal right” to seek refuge from foreign powers, affirming their “loyalty to national identity” and their “attachment to the Lebanese flag.”
Amir mentioned that a declaration of allegiance from the border Christian villages should serve as the final word on the issue. “These villages have consistently supported the Lebanese state and its legitimacy throughout the war. Their residents are proud of their national identity and view Lebanon as their permanent home, with no alternative,” he asserted.
He further explained, “They reject any attempts to misrepresent their stance or exploit their suffering for unrelated agendas. This fabricated report solely aims to damage the reputation of these border communities and create confusion.”
Some individuals living in Lebanon’s border region have voiced their discontent regarding Hezbollah’s activities, which have resulted in Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions, expressing frustration over the Beirut government’s failure to safeguard residents.
“For the past three years, we’ve endured the reality that the Lebanese state hasn’t managed to assert control over its own territory,” reflected Gaby al-Hajj, a citizen activist from Lemay, regarding the tensions between Hezbollah and Israel amid the recent Gaza conflict.
“We’ve been left vulnerable to illegal arms, and we’re bearing the consequences,” Al-Hajj remarked. “The Israelis have us blockaded, yet we refuse to abandon our villages. We’ve never forsaken Lebanon, and we won’t. We’ve held our ground, no matter what.”
Navi Berri, the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, praised the expression of loyalty from the border villages, cautioning Lebanese citizens to disregard “Israeli political misinformation” aimed at stirring discord among border communities.
Berri also urged the Beirut government and allied parties to halt the “systematic destruction” of villages.
Israel has issued evacuation orders for border towns ahead of its latest operations against Hezbollah, cautioning that it can’t overlook areas where Hezbollah members may be hiding.
The recent statement highlighted that many villagers are Christians who have chosen not to evacuate. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have taken actions to demolish buildings and homes in southern Lebanon, allegedly utilized by Hezbollah.
Residents in the Margeyoun district of Nabatiyeh province reported receiving a text message from the IDF on Monday, instructing them not to welcome displaced individuals back to their homes. Meanwhile, an Israeli drone strike targeted suspected Hezbollah operatives attempting to enter a restricted zone in Nabatiyeh.
The IDF routinely warns mayors of Christian villages against allowing what they term “strangers,” who may be Hezbollah fighters, into their areas.
UNIFIL, the United Nations mission in Lebanon, noted that some displaced persons started returning to their villages last weekend, with the mission offering support where possible.
“Although we cannot assist in unstable areas, we are helping municipalities clear debris and unexploded ordnance from roads and repairing vital infrastructure like water and electricity,” said UNIFIL spokeswoman Candice Ardiel. “The sooner people can return home, the better it is for long-term stability.”
The Lebanese Ministry of Health has estimated that over 1 million individuals—roughly one-fifth of the population—have fled since Hezbollah initiated conflict with an assault on Israel on March 2. Social Affairs Minister Haneen El-Sayed stated that about 400,000 displaced people have returned to their residences.
Minister of Defense Israel Katz indicated that the IDF would not withdraw from the security zones established in Lebanon and Syria, asserting, “Israeli forces will maintain their presence in these areas indefinitely to shield our communities from extremist elements.”
