Israel’s advance into southern Syria has raised concerns that residents of villages and towns near the border could be forced to flee into Lebanon, amid speculation that Israel may seek to link its positions in southern Syria with areas under its control in southern Lebanon.

Rumors of a possible new displacement wave have heightened fears that Lebanon could become a destination for another influx of Syrians. However, there is no indication of an imminent movement of displaced people into the country, according to information cited by Lebanese MP Ashraf Rifi in an interview with Annahar.

Rifi, a former senior security official, suggested that Hezbollah could be exploiting the concerns to create confusion and keep the Lebanese state preoccupied, particularly as the government moves to implement decisions to disarm the group.

Hezbollah’s alleged role in spreading the rumors has also drawn attention to its activities beyond Lebanon. Rifi pointed to the explosives shipment seized in Dahr al-Baydar and accused the group of maintaining personnel, officers and experts who provide financial and military support to Yemen’s Houthi movement, including training related to missile operations, particularly those targeting Saudi Arabia.

He said Saudi Arabia had previously accused Hezbollah of involvement and disclosed information about its activities. He also cited the presence of Houthi figures at Hezbollah events in Beirut’s southern suburbs and alleged that the group had established training camps in several areas to prepare operations against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Rifi further referred to a recently uncovered cell in the Syrian city of Homs that he said had been planning to blow up oil pipelines, describing it as part of a broader pattern of destabilizing activity.

Hezbollah’s involvement in regional conflicts, he argued, has also contributed to the destruction of its own community and the occupation of parts of southern Lebanon. He warned that the group’s continued activities posed a threat to regional stability.

As for the prospect of another Syrian displacement wave, Rifi said Syria, under President Ahmad al-Sharaa, sought to maintain strong relations with Lebanon on an equal footing and would not accept displaced Syrians remaining in Lebanon. He added that the presence of Syrian workers in Lebanon was a longstanding reality across several economic sectors.

Rifi said the information available to him did not point to a new wave of displacement, rejecting speculation that residents of southern Syria were about to move into Lebanon.