Overview
- Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday that some Christian villages in southern Lebanon had asked to be annexed by Israel for protection from Hezbollah.
- Local Christian border councils and municipal leaders issued a joint denial on Monday saying no village made such a request and that residents remain loyal to the Lebanese state.
- The denials come after a US-mediated framework signed last week that conditions any Israeli pullback on Lebanese action to disarm Hezbollah, a step that has not been implemented.
- Israel has maintained a security zone extending up to 10 kilometres into southern Lebanon, seized positions including the Beaufort area, and said its forces recently killed an armed fighter there.
- Local leaders warn that claims of annexation requests risk being used for political ends and could undercut fragile diplomacy or prompt renewed Israeli military action if the framework or truce breaks down.