Lebanese Maronite Leader Geagea Denounces Hezbollah as Cause of Violence and Displacement

Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Maronite Christian Lebanese Forces political party, denounced Hezbollah as the reason for violence and displacement in Lebanon in a post to X on Saturday, April 18. Geagea argued that Hezbollah and its weapons are the reason Lebanese civilians need a ceasefire, adding that the armed terror group is the cause of “an Israeli occupation.” “If it weren’t for Hezbollah and its weapons, we wouldn’t have prisoners, displaced people, or need reconstruction,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem spoke to Iranian media, laying out five conditions the terror group requires for a ceasefire with Israel. The first step would be a “permanent cessation of aggression,” Qassem said. Secondly, the “Zionist enemy” would need to completely withdraw from Lebanese territory to the international border. Thirdly, Israel would need to release all prisoners held since the outbreak of the war, a demand aimed at leveraging captured fighters as political currency.

Fourth, Lebanon’s displaced residents would need to be able to return to their cities and villages in the southern border areas that bore the brunt of recent fighting. The fifth step is to begin reconstruction, with support from the international and Arab communities, as well as what Qassem described as “national responsibility.” Hezbollah is “ready for the highest level of cooperation with the Lebanese government within a new framework for realizing national sovereignty,” Qassem added, even as his movement continues to bind Lebanese society to Iranian interests. (JPost/VFI News)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21