Lebanon Cautions Hamas Against Attacks Threatening National Security
Lebanon’s Higher Defence Council has issued a firm warning to Hamas, urging the Palestinian group not to use Lebanese territory for actions that could destabilize the country or provoke conflict with Israel.
In a statement released Friday, the council — led by President Joseph Aoun — emphasized that “Lebanon must not be used as a launchpad for instability or be dragged into unnecessary wars,” following recent rocket attacks into Israel that led to retaliatory Israeli airstrikes, including deadly strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon.
The move comes amid heightened US pressure on Lebanon to disarm all armed factions operating outside the government’s authority, particularly Hezbollah, Hamas’s close ally. President Aoun, a former army commander, reiterated the need to consolidate all weapons under the control of the state, though he acknowledged that dismantling Hezbollah remains a “delicate” and complex issue.
Mohammad al-Mustafa, the council’s secretary-general, told reporters that while Aoun supports Palestinian rights, Lebanese security and sovereignty remain paramount. The council vowed to take “utmost measures” to end any violations of the nation’s sovereignty.
Tensions have escalated in recent months, with Israel conducting frequent air raids on Lebanese territory in violation of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement established in November 2024. Lebanese officials accuse Israel of breaching the truce almost daily.
Security forces have already made arrests tied to rocket launches on March 22 and 28. No group claimed responsibility, and Hezbollah denied involvement. However, three Hamas members were reportedly detained, and legal proceedings are set to begin next week.
Lebanon continues to struggle with restoring full state control over regions like the southern border, where both Hezbollah and Hamas operate. Palestinian refugee camps across Lebanon — where government security presence is minimal — remain strongholds for Hamas activities.
Israeli strikes have killed multiple Hamas commanders in Lebanon since October 2023, when cross-border tensions reignited following Hamas’s attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent bombardment of Gaza.
As international pressure builds and Lebanon’s internal stability hangs in the balance, the government appears determined to prevent further escalation and avoid being drawn into a wider conflict.
