Jerusalem | July 6
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that some Christian villages in southern Lebanon requested to be annexed by Israel, saying residents sought protection from the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
According to Netanyahu, the alleged requests reflected growing fears among some border communities over Hezbollah's influence and the security situation in southern Lebanon. He did not provide evidence or identify the villages involved.
The remarks come amid continued regional tensions and cross-border hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which have intensified security concerns along the Israel-Lebanon frontier.
There has been no immediate official response from the Lebanese government, Christian community leaders, or Hezbollah regarding Netanyahu's claims. The statement has also not been independently verified.
Southern Lebanon remains a sensitive region where Hezbollah maintains a significant presence, while international observers continue to monitor the fragile security situation along the border.
Netanyahu's comments are likely to add another layer of political controversy to an already volatile regional landscape, as questions emerge over the implications of such claims for Lebanon's sovereignty and ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
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