Channel 14 reported Thursday evening that Christian leaders from villages in the IDF's security zone in southern Lebanon, representing some 20,000 residents, have asked the IDF to annex their communities and grant them Israeli citizenship. Israeli officials declined, citing the international memorandum of understanding, but assured the leaders that the IDF would continue to protect them from Hezbollah.
Channel 14 reported Thursday evening that Christian leaders from villages within the IDF's security zone in southern Lebanon have formally requested Israel to annex their communities and grant Israeli citizenship to the estimated 20,000 residents. The IDF declined the request, citing commitments under the international memorandum of understanding with Lebanon, but assured the leaders that the military would continue to protect their communities from Hezbollah.
The initial report, published at 20:05 Jerusalem, indicated that the leaders were exploring the possibility of annexation without an official response. Within the same hour, an update confirmed that Israeli officials had declined, invoking the Beirut memorandum. The development follows growing cooperation between local Christian communities and the IDF, as The Zioneer reported on June 8, when soldiers found a handwritten note from a Christian resident thanking them for clearing Hezbollah and asking for continued protection.
The request comes amid a broader Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating on June 18 that the IDF would remain as long as security needs require, as The Zioneer reported. Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the presence, with a commander warning on June 21 that Israel would not stay, as The Zioneer also reported. The Christian leaders' request, while declined, underscores the complex dynamics where local actors seek security guarantees from Israel against Hezbollah.
The report remains sourced solely to Channel 14 journalist Tamir Morg. The 20,000 resident figure cited by the leaders has not been independently verified. The specific provisions of the international memorandum that precluded annexation were not detailed.
5 developments
- StrongIDF troops in south Lebanon find note from Christian resident thanking them for clearing Hezbollah
- ConfirmedIDF spokesman orders evacuation of towns in southern Lebanon
- StrongIsraeli source warns soldiers may be captured in southern Lebanon
- StrongLebanese army calls on residents to slow return to southern border towns, citing Israeli aerial surveillance
Source and signal
- Internal intake