In an urgent and impassioned speech, Lebanese Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel called for an immediate halt to Hezbollah’s military involvement in the current conflict, warning that the country is headed for a greater catastrophe if hostilities continue. In a series of statements, Gemayel laid out his concerns over Hezbollah’s actions, their impact on Lebanon, and the broader implications of continued warfare.
Addressing the Lebanese people, Gemayel stressed that Hezbollah’s involvement in the ongoing conflict is dragging Lebanon into a war it cannot afford.
“We are all in the same boat,” Gemayel said. “If Hezbollah were waging war in another country, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. But they are killing the Lebanese alongside them, and they have no right to do so,’ Gemayel said in a news conference.
‘Stop the War, Stop the Catastrophe’
Gemayel made it clear that his call is driven purely by a national sense of duty, not by a desire for political retribution.
“We are saying what must be said fro
m a purely national standpoint. We are not here to seek accountability or settle scores-that will come later. What we are saying now is, ‘Stop the war, stop the catastrophe that is bound to escalate.'”
“We are calling for an end to the bloodshed, to the killing and the tears. The lives and safety of the Lebanese people are far more important than anything else.”
A Hostage to War
Gemayel highlighted that the Lebanese people are being held hostage by two forces: Hezbollah on one side and Israel on the other.
“The people are hostage to Hezbollah on one hand, and to Israel’s war machine on the other. We have become human sandbags. We cannot let this situation continue,” Gemayel said, calling on the Parliament to convene immediately to discuss the ongoing crisis and restore the state’s authority.
“We reiterate our call to open Parliament to discuss what is happening so that the State can reclaim its authority and we can elect a president. The people are hostages, caught between Hezbollah and Israel. We must s
ay the truth, which is not being spoken in the local or international media.”
Hezbollah’s Weapons Bring Disaster, Not Protection
Gemayel took aim at Hezbollah’s long-standing justification for maintaining its arms, which the group claims are meant to protect Lebanon.
“The war has completely destroyed Hezbollah’s argument that its weapons protect the Lebanese. On the contrary, their weapons are bringing calamities on the Lebanese people.”
“We are calling on Hezbollah to immediately halt its support front for Gaza and hand over its weapons and fighters to the Lebanese army. This is not surrender; it’s a return to the state’s fold and to pure national allegiance. It is a step away from regional adventures and a step toward unity with the Lebanese people.”
Unity with Lebanon, Not Foreign Powers
Gemayel urged Hezbollah to abandon its alliances with foreign actors like Iran, Hamas, and other regional forces, noting that these ties have only harmed Lebanon.
“It’s time for Hezbollah to unite its path with the
Lebanese people, instead of aligning with Iran, Hamas, or others. Only the Lebanese are paying the price, while hospitals and homes are being destroyed,’ he stated. “Every Lebanese should feel safe and at ease; therefore, stop the bloodshed, the killings, and the tears.”
“Everyone has abandoned you. Will you continue making sacrifices? Enough. Stop this futile war. War is not destiny; it is a decision,’ Gemayel said in an address to Hezbollah which has continuously touted the idea of “unity of the fronts’ in the face of Israel.
Gemayel cited examples from other regional powers that have avoided entanglement in conflicts that would harm their own populations.
“Iran refused to sacrifice its people for any support, as did Syria, which stayed out of the conflict. All resistance states have chosen to protect their own populations. Hezbollah should do the same.”
“Stop this senseless war! The lives of Lebanese are not less valuable than those of Syrians, Iranians, or Israelis,” he stressed.
“We advocate for par
ting of the ways [with foreign powers], recognizing the Lebanese State and its army, implementing international resolutions, facilitating the election of a president, and forming a new government. This is essential to open a dialogue for transparency and reconciliation, allowing us to sit at the table and address our concerns to build Lebanon on solid foundations.”
A National Call for Peace
The Kataeb leader made a direct appeal to Hezbollah to steer Lebanon clear of the ongoing regional conflict and to stop dragging the country into foreign wars.
“The supportive war for Gaza is not our war to fight. We can defend the Palestinians, but not at the expense of the Lebanese state. This support front was aimed at distracting the Israelis, but Hezbollah decided to drag Israeli brutality into Lebanon. You can stop this.”
“We’ve heard all of Hezbollah’s narratives, and it’s time to say: No one party or individual can unilaterally drag all of Lebanon into war. This is not a defensive war. It is a war of support to
help Hamas. Out of compassion for the Lebanese people, enough is enough! Stop this war!”
Lebanon at Risk of Becoming Another Gaza
Gemayel expressed deep sorrow for the destruction and suffering taking place across Lebanon, as the country is grappling with the ongoing conflict.
“Our pain is immense as we witness the devastation-the killing, the victims, the homes being destroyed. Our country is gradually being reduced to a second Gaza,’ he deplored.
‘Silence is no longer an option in the face of the suffering of the Lebanese people. We are not here to point fingers, nor is this the time for evaluations and judgments.”
He concluded by reminding everyone that the time for accountability will come, but the priority now must be to stop the war and save lives.
“Lebanon is bleeding. We are living through one of the most difficult periods in our history. We feel the pain with every scene of destruction, and we cannot remain silent any longer about what the Lebanese are enduring,” Gemayel concluded.
Source: Na
tional news agency – Lebanon
