Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says some Christian villages in southern Lebanon “asked to be annexed” by Israel, arguing this was for protection from Hezbollah. He makes the claim as he reiterates that Israeli troops will remain in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary, according to multiple reports. Netanyahu’s comments are linked to the broader conflict that escalated after Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on March 2, which Israel describes as retaliation connected to the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in U.S.-Israeli strikes. Israel then carried out air strikes and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, where it has troops on the ground.
Lebanon’s local response is disputed. The mayor of Rmeish, a Christian town in Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil district, rejects Netanyahu’s allegation. Free Malaysia Today reports that the mayor says a statement from 15 Christian towns denies the claim that such villages sought annexation. Middle East Eye similarly notes that Rmeish’s mayor disputes Netanyahu’s assertions, amid reports of rising attacks against Christian communities in Lebanon.
