In an interview with Al-Arabiya, Kataeb Leader Samy Gemayel warned that Hezbollah's actions in southern Lebanon, including opening what it called a "distraction front" or "support front," could be extremely costly for Lebanon.

"We have been warning since October 8 that Hezbollah's actions could bring calamities to Lebanon," Gemayel said.

He expressed regret that Hezbollah continues its risky actions, playing with new power dynamics, and betting that the conflict will not escalate.

"Each day, Hezbollah claims it does not want the conflict to expand, as if confident that the Israelis share this view. However, it is playing with fire, making a gamble that could have negative repercussions for all Lebanese," he said.

Regarding the Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi's comments and how close Lebanon is to war, Gemayel said, "From the very beginning, we have stated that neither Israel nor Hezbollah wants an escalation in southern Lebanon. However, when both sides engage in such risky behavior, any miscalculation could lead to a full-blown war. This is our warning: playing with fire could engulf all of Lebanon."

The Kataeb Leader noted that both Israel and Hezbollah are clear about their objectives.

He pointed out that Hezbollah wants to project itself to the Arab nations as the sole supporter of Gaza without incurring the costs of a full-scale war that could deplete its resources and weaken Iran’s influence in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria.

Gemayel believed that the best-case scenario for Iran is for the current conflict to end as it stands, allowing Iran’s influence to remain widespread in the region, maintaining its control over Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen as it does today.

Regarding the visit of Iran's acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, Gemayel stated, "The Iranian minister intended to emphasize that Lebanon is aligned with Iran’s axis, hence his declarations from Beirut to assert it as one of the capitals under Iran's influence, which the Lebanese people reject. We warn that Lebanon is being held hostage to Hezbollah and that we are paying the price for Iran's control over Lebanon through Hezbollah. This will drag Lebanon into a war, making it pay the price on behalf of Iran."

He added, "If Iran wants to wage war and play a role in the region, let it send its own men, not use Lebanese people, whether civilians or Hezbollah affiliates, as they are Lebanese. Therefore, Iran should bear the cost, not Lebanon."

 Gemayel called on the Arab world a+nd the international community to recognize that Lebanon is being held captive. 

 "We are engaged in peaceful political resistance against Hezbollah and Iran’s control over our country. The Lebanese people have no ability to change the current situation in southern Lebanon on their own. Therefore, we need the support of our Arab brothers and the international community to protect Lebanon from this disaster and to help us free ourselves from Iranian domination through Hezbollah," he concluded.