Fadlallah calls on the Lebanese government to act 'seriously' to end Israeli aggression

BEIRUT — The Shia cleric Ali Fadlallah called on Friday on the Lebanese government "to act seriously to put an end to Israeli aggression, liberate the still-occupied sites, and recover the prisoners, in order to ensure the trust of the Lebanese in their state."

The religious dignitary made these statements following a series of Israeli strikes that destroyed several buildings in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Hezbollah's stronghold.

The cease-fire agreement reached on Nov. 27, 2024, which ended more than thirteen months of war between Hezbollah and the State of Israel, is almost daily violated by the latter. Furthermore, the Israeli army still occupies five strategic positions in southern Lebanon, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated that his country would not withdraw from them.

Cleric Fadlallah also deemed it "impossible" and "unrealistic" to speak of a state monopoly on weapons "as long as the sword of occupation remains hanging over this country and its planes continue to violate its sovereignty." He called on the Lebanese "not to fall into the enemy's trap and to voice a unified stance to reject this aggression, far from any sectarian or political consideration," to prevent the State of Israel from "achieving its aims, namely sowing division and discord among them."

While the international community - led by the United States - and several Lebanese parties, notably the Lebanese Forces, insistently demand the disarmament of Hezbollah, Fadlallah emphasized that "differences among the Lebanese should be addressed through objective, calm, and rational dialogue that prioritizes the country's interests over partisan interests."