Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that several Christian-majority villages in southern Lebanon have requested annexation by Israel, citing the need for protection against Hezbollah militants. Speaking on Fox News’s The Sunday Briefing, Netanyahu claimed, “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 had made such a request.
Christian villages deny annexation requests
On Friday, Christian villages in the Marjeyoun area of southern Lebanon issued a statement denying media reports that they had sought annexation. The statement emphasized that they had “no power nor the legal right” to make decisions of such magnitude. They reaffirmed their determination to remain on their land, expressing “loyalty to their national identity” and “attachment to their Lebanese flag.” Since the war began on March 2, when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in joint US-Israeli strikes, southern Lebanon has experienced heavy Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion. Israeli troops now occupy swathes of territory near the border. Christian villages have endured shelling, airstrikes, displacement, and infrastructure damage. Most remain inhabited despite Israeli evacuation orders, with residents staying to protect their homes, churches, and farmland, though some villages were partially or fully evacuated. The Israeli military has warned several Christian-majority villages through phone calls to mayors and local officials not to allow “strangers” in, referring to Hezbollah fighters.
Israel’s military presence and Hezbollah clashes
In a separate state ceremony on Sunday, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s military would maintain its presence in southern Lebanon “as long as necessary in order to protect the residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel.” Meanwhile, Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, visited troops near Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon on Sunday, vowing that the army would “continue to operate decisively to remove threats from Lebanese territory.” Israeli forces have continued to clash with Hezbollah fighters despite a US-brokered agreement between Israel and Lebanon intended to pave the way toward a lasting end to hostilities.
Netanyahu-Trump relationship
During the Fox News interview, Netanyahu also addressed reported disagreements with US President Donald Trump over the deal that halted the war with Iran. “Let me say that we have an excellent relationship, which is defined, as I said, between allies,” Netanyahu said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, we see eye-to-eye, but as any, in any family, in any close friendship, there are sometimes differences of opinion, and we discuss them openly. I can tell you, in a free spirit, and usually we resolve them too.” Netanyahu’s remarks came a day after Trump told Axios that Netanyahu “knows who the boss is.” In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly criticized Netanyahu amid negotiations over the Iran deal, accusing him of ingratitude and even calling him “crazy” over Israel’s escalation in Lebanon. Trump added that Netanyahu was expected to visit Washington in the coming days.
