Rafic Ghanem, the head of the Kataeb Party’s Intellectual Formation Department, questioned the effectiveness of Hezbollah's recent war in support of Gaza, asserting that it has produced no tangible results.

“What are the actual, concrete outcomes of this war, whether in Gaza or southern Lebanon?” Ghanem asked during an interview on Palestine Channel.

He emphasized the importance of choosing peace and actively pursuing it, rather than repeatedly oscillating between destruction and reconstruction.

“We are facing fateful choices, and we cannot continue living in war and displacement. We have the right to live in peace,” he stated.

“When we make a definitive choice for peace, we must truly work towards it. However, in reality, crime persists on the ground, and the era of war crimes has not ended. We still have groups in the region influenced by external forces, operating with a mindset of war rather than peace.”

Ghanem argued that the wars in Gaza and Lebanon were not genuinely fought in support of the Palestinian cause, but rather to serve the interests of another cause, another people, and another state.

He expressed support for President Joseph Aoun’s stance, stating that Lebanon has had enough of others' wars being fought on its territory. He also noted that the Palestinians are similarly weary after being used as a pretext by some who have led Lebanon into dark tunnels, exposing the country to destruction and displacement without any real results.

Addressing Israel’s ongoing occupation of five positions in southern Lebanon, Ghanem stressed the need to move beyond empty rhetoric.

“We have long awaited the day when we would have a functioning state, a president, and a government. The Lebanese state alone must bear the responsibility for liberation and decide how to address the five Israeli-occupied positions. The state alone is authorized to handle matters of sovereignty, and no group should claim that role. It is enough to see what others have brought upon us—war, destruction, and tragedies.”

“Let us entrust our fate to our state. This must become a full and final popular demand. Only the state can save us. We must place the fate of our sovereignty and our national life in the hands of the state and abandon factional interests.”

Ghanem underscored the crucial role of the state in uniting the Lebanese people, asserting that a strong and unified government is essential for national cohesion.

“We must believe that the state is responsible for our future and that it unites everyone,” he stated.

Expressing optimism about Lebanon’s new leadership, Ghanem praised both the president and prime minister, as well as the awareness of the Lebanese people.

“With collective solidarity, we will reach safe shores because those who make decisions can achieve results,” he affirmed, predicting a phase of prosperity for Lebanon.