Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi stressed the need to respect UNSC Resolution 1701 and prevent Lebanon from being dragged into Israel's war against Gaza, saying that the decision of war and peace belongs exclusively to the Lebanese government.

In his Epiphany sermon, Patriarch Rahi indicated: "We continue to claim the right of the Palestinian people to return to their land, which is more effective than war, hunger, and deprivation."

"We call for the cessation of war and destruction, and the search for solutions through diplomatic means," he emphasized.