Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh warned Monday that Hezbollah’s operations in southern Lebanon are endangering local communities, as Israeli strikes continue along the border.

The towns of Alma al-Shaab and Qlayaa, predominantly Christian communities near the Israeli border, have been targeted despite having declared neutrality in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Shelling over the past two days has killed a parish priest and another civilian, and injured several others, raising questions about the true intent behind the attacks.

Sayegh described incidents in several villages, including Kouzah, Debel, and Ain Ebel, where heavily armed Hezbollah fighters infiltrated communities, triggering exchanges of fire with Israeli forces.

“In Kouzah, the presence of Hezbollah militants forced all Christian residents to flee and led to the destruction of homes,” Sayegh told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He added that in Debel and Ain Ebel, armed vehicles carrying anti-tank missiles were intercepted after passing Lebanese army checkpoints.

While Israeli strikes are focused on Hezbollah targets, Sayegh said the Lebanese army has largely remained at its fixed positions in Marjayoun, Qlayaa, Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Debel, absent from the wider field.

“The army is not out there on the ground except to guard its own bases,” he said, warning that Hezbollah is increasingly using civilians as human shields, particularly in areas determined to stay neutral.

“Hezbollah is escalating its crimes by putting civilians at risk, especially in communities that don’t want war,” Sayegh said.

He described a recent incident in Qlayaa in which Hezbollah fighters entered a private home, prompting an Israeli strike. When Father Pierre Al-Rahi, the parish priest, and Saeed Saeed, head of the Kataeb’s Marjayoun-Hasbaya region, arrived at the scene, they were struck again, leaving Father Al-Rahi severely injured.

Sayegh criticized the army’s withdrawal from many of these towns but acknowledged that the move was tactical, aimed at avoiding direct confrontation with either Israeli forces or Hezbollah.

“We cannot hold the army responsible for repositioning,” he said. “They pulled back to avoid direct clashes while maintaining a defensive posture.”

The MP called on Lebanese authorities to act immediately, stressing the danger posed to civilians in exposed areas.

“It is imperative that the Supreme Defense Council meets and issues clear directives to the army, and guidance to all residents,” Sayegh said. “Leaving people unprotected or without clear instructions is unacceptable.”

He emphasized that Hezbollah’s actions, rather than Israeli strikes, are primarily responsible for the escalation in southern Lebanon, and urged the Lebanese state to take decisive steps to protect local communities.