Defense Minister General Michel Mounsi issued the following statement:
He strongly condemned the statements made by the Israeli Defense Minister, noting that they are no longer mere threats but reflect a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory, forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of citizens, and systematically destroy southern villages and towns.
Lebanon categorically rejects these threats, which represent a blatant and unprecedented violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and show complete disregard for international law and legitimate UN resolutions. The talk of preventing Lebanese citizens from returning to their land and repeating the “Gaza Model” in southern Lebanon constitutes a grave crime that Lebanon will never accept.
Any attempt to establish a security zone within Lebanese territory, or to impose control up to the Litani River, would amount to further aggression against Lebanese land and national sovereignty and would expose the region to a dangerous escalation with unpredictable consequences.
Minister Mounsi called on the international community, particularly the United Nations and the UN Security Council’s permanent members, to break their unjustified silence and take a clear and firm stance to put an end to these threats.
He emphasized that indifference or hesitation is no longer acceptable and only encourages further escalation.
