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Israel will face resistance if troops stay in Lebanon, Lebanese Parliament Speaker says

From Jerusalem Post · (14h ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Lebanon's Parliament Speaker warned that Israeli forces remaining in southern Lebanon will face resistance, signaling potential renewed conflict.
  • A 10-day ceasefire is in effect, but Israeli forces occupy a buffer zone along the border, which Israel states is for security against Hezbollah.
  • Lebanon views the continued Israeli presence as an occupation, with upcoming US-mediated talks aiming to address the situation.

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has issued a strong warning: any continued Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon will be met with fierce resistance. This declaration comes as a 10-day ceasefire, brokered by Washington, holds, yet Israeli forces remain deployed in a buffer zone extending several kilometers into Lebanese territory. From Lebanon's perspective, this deployment is not a security measure but an occupation, a violation of our sovereignty that we cannot tolerate.

Israeli forces in parts of the country's south would face resistance if they fail to withdraw

— Nabih BerriWarning about the consequences of continued Israeli military presence.

Berri, a key Shi'ite statesman and ally of Hezbollah, stated unequivocally that Lebanon "could not tolerate losing a meter of land." He warned that if Israel "maintains its occupation... it will smell the scent of resistance every day." This sentiment reflects a deep-seated resolve among Lebanese factions to defend their territory and resist any perceived encroachment. The history of Israeli withdrawal in 2000, after years of occupation, serves as a potent reminder of the potential for sustained resistance.

If Israel "maintains its occupation, whether of areas, positions, or by drawing yellow lines, it will smell the scent of resistance every day,"

— Nabih BerriStating Lebanon's resolve to resist any form of Israeli occupation.

As US-mediated ambassador-level talks are set to commence, Lebanon's stance is clear: a lasting peace cannot include a permanent buffer zone. A French presidential source echoed this, suggesting such a zone would be unnecessary with lasting peace. However, the ongoing Israeli military demolitions in southern villages, justified as action against Hezbollah infrastructure, further inflame tensions. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency has reported new detonations and artillery shelling, underscoring the precariousness of the current ceasefire and the potential for escalation ahead of critical diplomatic efforts.

If they insist on remaining, they will face resistance, and our history bears witness to that.

— Nabih BerriReinforcing the warning with historical precedent.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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