Christian villages in southern Lebanon refute Netanyahu's claims, affirm commitment to national identity

Municipalities, community leaders, and mukhtars of the Christian border villages in southern Lebanon issued a strongly worded statement, categorically denying Israeli media reports about these villages' desire to join Israel. This response followed statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed that local leaders had contacted the occupation authorities to request protection and citizenship.\n\nThe Lebanese community leaders described these allegations as pure fabrication and false news with no basis in reality, aimed at sowing discord among the people of the same nation. The statement affirmed that the residents of these areas are committed to their national identity and to the Lebanese state as their sole and ultimate authority, despite the shelling and harsh conditions imposed by the ongoing war.\n\nThe signatories of the statement clarified that the border villages have been keen, since the beginning of the military escalation, to coordinate fully with official Lebanese authorities, spiritual leaders, and international organizations. The goal of this coordination was to secure humanitarian corridors and ensure residents remained in their lands, while maintaining open channels of communication with legitimate state institutions in Beirut.\n\nThe Christian villages emphasized their pride in their Lebanese national affiliation, considering attempts to exploit their humanitarian suffering to serve Israeli political agendas as desperate and rejected. The statement indicated that what is being promoted by the Hebrew media falls within a misleading campaign aimed at distorting the positions of the border villages that have stood firm in the face of aggression.\n\nThe list of villages that signed the statement included Alma al-Shaab, Qawzah, Debel, Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Deir Mimas, in addition to Burj al-Muluk, Qleiaa, Sarda, and Jadida Marjayoun. The villages of Ebel al-Saqi, Koukaba, Bouweida, Rachaya al-Fakhar, and Abu Qamha also joined the unified stance rejecting any form of dealing with the occupation.\n\nBenjamin Netanyahu had claimed in an interview with the American network 'Fox News' that some Christian villages in southern Lebanon had actually requested to be annexed to Israel. Netanyahu claimed that these villages were seeking protection from Hezbollah fighters, asserting that Israel was playing the role of 'protector' for Christians in the region, which was refuted by the reality on the ground and official statements.\n\nThese claims come at a time when border areas are witnessing a significant military escalation, with many of these Christian towns subjected to intense Israeli artillery shelling and airstrikes. Despite repeated evacuation warnings issued by the occupation army, the majority of residents preferred to remain in their homes to protect their churches and agricultural lands from destruction.\n\nLocal sources reported that the occupation army had attempted in recent weeks to exert pressure through direct phone calls with mayors and mukhtars in those villages. These calls included warnings against allowing resistance elements into the villages, in a clear Israeli attempt to create a social and security rift within the southern Lebanese fabric.\n\nIn a related context, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir affirmed that his forces would continue to operate in southern Lebanon to remove what he described as threats, indicating the army's readiness to launch rapid offensive operations. These statements coincide with the continuation of field confrontations despite international attempts to reach a framework agreement for a ceasefire through American mediation.\n\nOn the international political front, press reports revealed sharp differences between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump regarding the management of the war in Lebanon and Iran. Trump, in statements to 'Axios', described the Israeli Prime Minister as a "very difficult person," criticizing the pace of military escalation pursued by the current Israeli government.\n\nOfficial Lebanese statistics indicate that the Israeli aggression has so far resulted in the martyrdom of approximately 4,300 people and the injury of thousands, in addition to the displacement of over one million citizens. Most of the damage is concentrated in the southern regions and the southern suburbs of Beirut, where airstrikes have destroyed entire residential neighborhoods and vital infrastructure.\n\nDespite the widespread destruction, the residents of the border villages insist that their steadfastness is a national political message that rejects being drawn into false Israeli promises. Community leaders affirmed that the churches in the south will continue to ring their bells, confirming the Arab and Lebanese identity of this land, and rejecting any new divisive or colonial schemes.\n\nObservers believe that Netanyahu's statements aim to justify a long military presence in southern Lebanon by claiming the existence of a 'popular base' seeking protection. However, the swift and unified response from all concerned Christian villages has thwarted these political maneuvers and reaffirmed the unity of the Lebanese position in confronting the occupation.\n\nIn conclusion, the statement issued by the southern villages emphasized full commitment to Lebanese national choices, warning against being drawn into rumors spread by the Hebrew media. The signatories affirmed that their suffering from the war would not be an entry point for ceding their country's sovereignty or accepting any proposals that undermine the unity of Lebanese territories.\n\nThese claims are completely unfounded, and the people of the border villages are committed to the Lebanese state and its legitimacy and have not deviated from this position despite the conditions of war.