Lebanese Christian villages annexation: Netanyahu claims they seek Israeli protection

Lebanese Christian villages annexation request sparks regional tension

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Sunday that several Christian hamlets in southern Lebanon have reportedly approached Israeli officials asking for annexation to shield themselves from Hezbollah fire. The claim, made amid renewed border skirmishes, reinforces Netanyahu’s pledge that Israeli forces will stay in the area ↓ 30 days if necessary. A senior Israeli liaison, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the villages fear ‘total annihilation’ and see Israel as the only guarantor of security.

‘We are prepared to integrate these communities under Israeli jurisdiction,’ the official asserted.

Hezbollah has dismissed the allegation as propaganda, while Lebanese authorities have not confirmed any formal petition. The narrative arrives as the region grapples with post‑pandemic economic strain and a surge in cross‑border incidents. Reuters and AP News reported that Israeli troops remain poised near the border, ready to intervene should hostilities flare.