Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Lebanon's Christian communities were seeking to come under Israeli control

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a sensational statement, claiming that a number of Christian villages in southern Lebanon had allegedly expressed a desire to come under Israeli control. According to the Israeli prime minister, such initiatives are driven by the local residents’ desire to obtain security guarantees and protection from Hezbollah militants.

As reported by Arab News, this statement was made during an interview with Fox News. Despite the bold claim, Netanyahu did not specify which settlements were involved, nor did he provide their names or any concrete details about the alleged requests.

The situation in southern Lebanon remains extremely tense amid ongoing military operations. The Israeli military is conducting operations against Hezbollah, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties and mass displacement. The report also emphasizes that, despite calls from the Israeli military to evacuate, many residents of Christian communities have decided to remain in their homes. At the same time, it is reported that Israeli military command had previously urged residents of these villages not to take in refugees from other regions for security reasons.

In conclusion, the Israeli prime minister emphasized that the country’s army will maintain its presence in the region for “as long as necessary” to ensure the security of Israel’s northern borders. The government’s position was supported by Israeli Army Commander Eyal Zamir, who confirmed readiness for further action against threats emanating from Lebanese territory.

As a reminder, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)had previouslyofficially confirmed that a Christian church in the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon had been damaged during recent military operations. This incident sparked international outrage and sharp criticism from Catholic organizations, which accused the military of deliberately destroying a Christian monastery.