Lebanese Christian-majority villages reject Netanyahu's claim they sought to join Israel

Christian-majority villages along Lebanon's southern border have rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that they sought to join Israel, reaffirming their commitment to the Lebanese state and dismissing the remarks as "fabricated and completely detached from reality."

Mayors, clergy and community leaders from villages stretching across Lebanon's border region told Anadolu they remain committed to their Lebanese identity, describing Netanyahu's remarks as an attempt to sow division at a time when residents are struggling with continuing Israeli attacks and a worsening humanitarian crisis.