Geagea: Hezbollah’s clashes with Israel damage Lebanon

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has criticized Hezbollah for supporting Hamas by engaging in conflicts with Israel, stating that it has brought harm to Lebanon without significantly affecting Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Geagea argued that Hezbollah should retreat from the border areas and allow the Lebanese Army to take control. This suggestion comes amid ongoing efforts by Western diplomats to ease tensions along the border, fearing a broader conflict might ensue.

Hezbollah started firing rockets at Israeli military sites on October 8, the day after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, initiating a severe conflict in Gaza.

Despite the concentration of violence near the border, international mediators are working hard to prevent a full-scale war. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of 12 Israeli soldiers and 10 civilians, while over 350 people, including 273 Hezbollah fighters and more than 50 civilians, have died in Lebanon.

Geagea, speaking from his secure office in Maarab, criticized Hezbollah’s unilateral control over Lebanon’s fate, emphasizing that Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese government but not the sole governing body.

Hezbollah claims that their actions along Israel’s northern border have alleviated pressure on Gaza by keeping Israeli forces engaged away from the southern offensive.

Geagea dismissed the effectiveness of Hezbollah’s actions, pointing to the severe casualties and destruction in Lebanon’s border areas. He highlighted the staggering loss of life and the extensive displacement caused by Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, particularly towards the city of Rafah, despite global pleas for moderation.

Furthermore, Geagea accused Hezbollah of acting in Iran’s interest by maintaining a presence along Israel’s border. He advocated for Hezbollah to withdraw and for the Lebanese army to assume control as per the U.N. Security Council resolution that concluded the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Additionally, Geagea addressed the contentious issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, spurred by a recent violent incident involving a Lebanese Forces official. He proposed that most Syrians in Lebanon could safely return, suggesting they relocate to opposition-held areas in Syria, akin to recent controversial policies in Western nations like Britain’s plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Geagea’s comments reflect his party’s staunch opposition to the Assad regime in Syria and a strong stance on repatriating Syrian refugees, despite international concerns about the safety of returning Syrians.