Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh highlighted the importance of understanding the implications of Hezbollah acting leader Naim Qassem’s latest statements, particularly regarding the notion of a ceasefire, expressing skepticism about whether the group is truly willing to separate the situation in Gaza from Lebanon.

“What concerns me about Qassem's speech is the suggestion that he is accepting a ceasefire,” he said in an interview on BBC Arabic, emphasizing that the Lebanese must navigate these complex political waters carefully.

He praised the hospitality that Lebanese people extend to displaced individuals, hailing the resilience and national unity that many Lebanese citizens have exhibited, even amidst political divides.

However, Sayegh also raised concerns about the potential consequences of integrating political affiliations into the humanitarian response, urging displaced individuals to refrain from involving the communities they seek refuge in with the political ramifications of their choices, particularly regarding ties to Hezbollah leadership. Citing a recent Israeli strike on the northern village of Ayto, he underscored the risks that come with such affiliations, which could lead to increased tensions and violence in already fragile neighborhoods.

Sayegh condemned any form of violence against civilians, asserting that Hezbollah must avoid further entangling the population in conflict.

“The Islamic resistance in Lebanon... should not once again entrap the Lebanese and the displaced, turning them into human shields for Hezbollah,” he stated. 

Furthermore, the lawmaker pointed to the broader context of the conflict, noting that the recent Israeli bombardments are a result of escalating tensions that began over a year ago.

“There is an ongoing war in the south with its own rules and conventions,” he explained, indicating that the violence is rooted in complex geopolitical dynamics. He also mentioned the duality of warfare being waged—both conventional and clandestine—against Hezbollah operatives, further complicating the situation.

“War will not solve the existing problems in Lebanon. The path to peace cannot be paved through war but through a political settlement that disarms Hezbollah's and places its arsenal under the State's control," he stressed.