Netanyahu claims Christians in Lebanon sought Israeli annexation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted on Sunday that certain Christian villages in southern Lebanon had sought annexation by Israel to gain protection from Hezbollah. Speaking on Fox News, Netanyahu stated, “Christian villages in Lebanon, some of them have actually asked to be annexed to Israel, because we protect them against the Hezbollah, Hezbollah fanatics who want to kill them, and we do the same things with Christians everywhere.” He did not specify which villages made this alleged request.

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Christian villages in Lebanon, some of them have actually asked to be annexed to Israel, because we protect them against the Hezbollah, Hezbollah fanatics who want to kill them, and we do the same things with Christians everywhere.

However, Christian villages in the Marjeyoun area of southern Lebanon refuted these claims on Friday. In a statement, they denied media reports suggesting they had sought annexation, emphasizing they possessed “no power nor the legal right” to make such significant decisions. The villages reaffirmed their commitment to remaining on their land, stressing their “loyalty to their national identity” and their “attachment to their Lebanese flag.” Since the conflict began, these villages have faced Israeli shelling, airstrikes, displacement, and damage to infrastructure. Many residents chose to stay despite Israeli evacuation orders, aiming to protect their homes, churches, and farmland, though some areas experienced partial or full evacuation.

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no power nor the legal right

During a state ceremony on Sunday, Netanyahu reiterated that the Israeli military would maintain its presence in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to safeguard Israeli citizens. Meanwhile, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited troops near Beaufort Castle, vowing decisive action against threats from Lebanese territory. These operations continue despite a US-brokered agreement aimed at ending hostilities.

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loyalty to their national identity

In his Fox News interview, Netanyahu also addressed reported tensions with US President Donald Trump concerning the Iran deal. He described their relationship as excellent, noting that while they agree 99% of the time, differences of opinion occur and are discussed openly. Netanyahu’s comments followed Trump’s remarks to Axios, where he stated Netanyahu “knows who the boss is,” and had recently criticized the Israeli premier over the Iran deal and Israel’s actions in Lebanon.

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attachment to their Lebanese flag