(Credit: Photo released by Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel on X to announce his interview on BBC Arabic.)
Samy Gemayel, leader of the Kataeb Party, stated that “Lebanon needs all Arab and international efforts to prevent a disaster ... and a total war between Hezbollah and Israel.” He emphasized that “an armed militia with a specific agenda has no right to make a unilateral decision and drag the rest of the Lebanese into a war they do not want.”
Gemayel made these comments in an interview with BBC Arabic, published on Thursday on his party’s website and by the National News Agency (NNA). This comes as diplomatic efforts from several countries aim to ease the heightened regional tensions following the Gaza war that began on Oct. 7.
“An armed militia with a specific agenda has no right to make a unilateral decision and drag the rest of the Lebanese into a war they do not want,” said Gemayel, who frequently criticizes Hezbollah and its support from Tehran. “Hezbollah has no right to cross the demarcation line on its own without the authorization of the Lebanese people and the Lebanese state,” he added, noting that “Lebanon can support the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution and oppose what's happening to the Palestinians in Gaza without engaging in a military confrontation, as it lacks the capacity for such involvement.”
Comparison with Egypt
Gemayel questioned, “Why is Lebanon paying the price of war and is the only country to open its border with Israel, while Egypt, with its greater military, economic, and popular resources, has not?”
Since the Gaza war began, Hezbollah has exchanged near-daily fire with Israel and has lost 411 members in Lebanon and Syria. Between July 30 and 31, senior military commander Fouad Shukur was killed in an Israeli strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Another strike, attributed to Israel by Iran, later killed Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, in Tehran. Iran and Hezbollah have threatened a retaliatory response, which remains pending and could be postponed if a cease-fire agreement is reached in Gaza. However, this outcome is not yet certain.
Asked about the risk of further escalation, Gemayel said, “There will be no point in taking a position if the situation escalates, as it will only lead to more destruction and damage and set back Lebanon.” He added, “We renew our call for the implementation of international resolutions, particularly 1701 (which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel) and 1559 (which addresses the disarmament of Lebanese militias, including Hezbollah). We need all Arab and international efforts to prevent a disaster for Lebanon.” Earlier in July, Gemayel stipulated that resolution 1559 would "save Lebanon."
Regarding the prospects of success for diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and France, whose Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne arrived in Beirut on Thursday, Gemayel described the situation as complex. “Everything is possible, given that when extremism is present on both sides, finding solutions is challenging because logic no longer prevails, making the negotiators’ task very difficult.”
U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein was also in Beirut, meeting with key officials and MPs.
On the Israeli bombings in Gaza, which have resulted in over 40,000 deaths according to the latest count from the Gaza health ministry, Gemayel stated “the Israeli madness in Gaza is one of the greatest atrocities in the history of humanity” and considered "Israel’s refusal to recognize Palestinians’ right to an independent state" as a key factor in the ongoing Middle East crisis.
- Mikati calls ambassadors and international bodies to an "emergency meeting" on Monday to demand "pressure on Israel": Day 337 of the Gaza war.
- At least 10 missiles fired at Froun in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon: Day 336 of the Gaza war
- German Foreign Minister says 'purely military approach' not the solution in Gaza