Lebanese Mayor Rejects Netanyahu Claim of Christian Villages Seeking Annexation
(MENAFN) A Lebanese local official has denied claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that several Christian villages in southern Lebanon requested annexation by Israel for protection against Hezbollah.
Mayor Hanna al-Amil of the southern village of Rmeiche said the allegation was “totally untrue,” stressing that no Christian communities had made such a request.
“This claim is totally untrue,” he said, adding that “none of the Christian villages have made this request as Netanyahu claimed.”
Rmeiche, a Maronite Christian village with around 7,000 residents located in the Bint Jbeil district near Lebanon’s southern border, was among the communities referenced in the Israeli leader’s remarks.
Netanyahu had claimed that some Christian villages in Lebanon had expressed interest in coming under Israeli administration in order to receive protection from Hezbollah. Lebanese officials strongly rejected this assertion.
Mayor al-Amil said such a proposal “is completely out of the question,” adding that multiple villages had already issued denials of the Israeli claims. He described the Christian communities in southern Lebanon as deeply rooted in Lebanese national identity and committed to remaining part of the country.
The comments come amid continued tensions between Israel and Lebanon despite a US-backed framework agreement signed on June 26 that outlines a phased Israeli withdrawal beginning with two pilot areas.
Lebanese authorities report that ongoing Israeli strikes have resulted in thousands of casualties since March, while Israeli forces continue to maintain positions in parts of southern Lebanon and advance into areas along the border during recent escalations.
Mayor Hanna al-Amil of the southern village of Rmeiche said the allegation was “totally untrue,” stressing that no Christian communities had made such a request.
“This claim is totally untrue,” he said, adding that “none of the Christian villages have made this request as Netanyahu claimed.”
Rmeiche, a Maronite Christian village with around 7,000 residents located in the Bint Jbeil district near Lebanon’s southern border, was among the communities referenced in the Israeli leader’s remarks.
Netanyahu had claimed that some Christian villages in Lebanon had expressed interest in coming under Israeli administration in order to receive protection from Hezbollah. Lebanese officials strongly rejected this assertion.
Mayor al-Amil said such a proposal “is completely out of the question,” adding that multiple villages had already issued denials of the Israeli claims. He described the Christian communities in southern Lebanon as deeply rooted in Lebanese national identity and committed to remaining part of the country.
The comments come amid continued tensions between Israel and Lebanon despite a US-backed framework agreement signed on June 26 that outlines a phased Israeli withdrawal beginning with two pilot areas.
Lebanese authorities report that ongoing Israeli strikes have resulted in thousands of casualties since March, while Israeli forces continue to maintain positions in parts of southern Lebanon and advance into areas along the border during recent escalations.
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