Christian villages in Lebanon deny Netanyahu's annexation claim

Christian-majority villages in southern Lebanon categorically rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims that they had requested to join Israel, emphasizing their loyalty to the Lebanese state.

Scraper SystemJuly 07, 2026, 10:48 AM

Christian villages in Lebanon deny Netanyahu's annexation claim

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claims that Christian-majority villages in southern Lebanon had requested to join Israel were met with strong reactions from the region. The village municipalities issued a joint statement declaring the claims "baseless" and "not reflecting the truth."

In a television interview on Sunday, Netanyahu had suggested that the Christian villages wanted to join Israel to protect themselves from Hezbollah's "extremists." However, the mukhtars of 15 villages along the border, including Kunin, Debel, Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Kilya, immediately denied these remarks.

Strong rejection from mayors and priests

Kilya Mayor Hanna Daher told an AA correspondent, "These statements are completely rejected and have nothing to do with reality. We trust only the Lebanese army. We will never replace the Lebanese flag with any other flag." Daher argued that what emboldened Netanyahu to make such claims were accusations of "treason" against the local population.

Father Antonios Eyd Ferah of the Mar Girgis Church in Kilya said, "Our identity is Lebanese, we are children of the south, we want to stay away from strife and live in peace in our homeland." Ferah stressed that the only weapon desired in Lebanon is the "weapon of legitimacy," but that this does not mean separatism.

Father Grigorius Sallum of Ibl al-Saqi, belonging to the Greek Orthodox community, also said that the people of the south are loyal to Lebanon as a state and to the Lebanese army, and will never submit to the imposition of a foreign power. Sallum stated, "We are not asking anyone for help, we are not seeking to join any side."

Civil society warns of psychological warfare

Fuad Abu Nader, head of the "Norc" Association, described Netanyahu's rhetoric as part of Israel's psychological warfare against Lebanon. Abu Nader said, "Christians are loyal to Lebanon and to the identity of this land; they believe their future is in Lebanon. The prime minister's malicious outburst was thwarted by the joint statement of the mayors."

Meanwhile, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri praised the stance of the municipal councils and spiritual leaders, especially in the border villages, saying it "reflects the nobility of national belonging." Berri warned against the "seditious agendas" fueled by Israeli politics.

Humanitarian tragedy continues

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, Israel's attacks since March 2, 2026, have killed 4,304 people, wounded 12,203, and displaced more than one million. The Christian villages on the border cannot access their farmland or feed their livestock due to bombardment and occupation.

Hanna Daher said, "We have been living a tragedy for three years. We want peace, we want to stay on our land. We will remain under the Lebanese flag, we will not accept any other flag," calling on the international community and the Lebanese government for a safe passage corridor.

Despite the framework agreement signed on June 26, 2026, under US mediation, Israel continues its attacks and territorial violations. The agreement envisages Israel's phased withdrawal and the Lebanese army ensuring full security in the area, but also stipulates Hezbollah's disarmament. Hezbollah, for its part, had announced that it found the agreement "humiliating" and that red lines had been crossed.

Christian villages in Lebanon deny Netanyahu's annexation claim