Kataeb.org is publishing the statement issued by the Federation of Southern Suburbs Municipalities in solidarity with Haret Hreik Municipality, in keeping with the right of reply, while clarifying the scope and purpose of its recent article examining a geospatial analysis of Hezbollah’s alleged use of civilian areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Statement by the Federation of Southern Suburbs Municipalities 

The Federation of Southern Suburbs Municipalities expresses its full solidarity with Haret Hreik Municipality and strongly condemns the accusations and allegations published by certain websites claiming that military facilities are located inside the municipality’s building. Haret Hreik Municipality categorically denied these allegations in a statement issued on October 21, 2026.

The federation stresses that this is not the first time official and civil institutions in Beirut’s southern suburbs have been subjected to similar allegations and slander published across various websites. Such claims seek to cast doubt on the nature of these institutions’ work and their civilian and public-service roles, while causing concern among residents and employees.

While rejecting these accusations as unsupported by credible evidence, the Federation of Southern Suburbs Municipalities warns of the dangers of circulating such claims, given the serious risks they could pose to civilian institutions, their employees and the citizens who visit them, particularly amid the country’s sensitive security situation.

The federation also calls on media outlets and websites to uphold their professional and ethical responsibilities by verifying information before publishing or sharing it and refraining from promoting reports that could jeopardize the safety of public institutions and citizens.

The Federation of Southern Suburbs Municipalities reiterates its confidence in Haret Hreik Municipality and all municipalities in the southern suburbs, affirming its support for their efforts to fulfill their development, public-service and humanitarian responsibilities. It also reaffirms its commitment to protecting municipal and civil institutions and preserving their role in serving citizens.

Federation of Southern Suburbs Municipalities

October 21, 2026

Kataeb.org’s response: Clarifying the scope of the report 

The Municipality of Haret Hreik and the Union of Municipalities of Beirut’s Southern Suburbs appear to have misunderstood the article published on the English-language section of the website, assuming that it referred to current events. In fact, the article discusses a satellite imagery analysis published by the Israeli Alma Research and Education Center, examining 304 buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs that were struck during the war that lasted from September 27 to November 27, 2024.

The article explains that the study examined what it described at the time as Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. These sites were mentioned in the context of the report’s findings and the military campaign it covered.

The article did not state that every civilian institution mentioned was, in itself, a military target, nor did it claim that all buildings within the area covered by the study had been used for military purposes.

This clarification is essential to understanding the article’s purpose and methodology. The article was not intended to incite against any municipality or social group, nor was it intended to undermine the civic and service-oriented role played by municipal authorities.