Israel seeks to draw Lebanon into internal war, sectarian strife: Muslim scholars

The International Union of Muslim Scholars has warned that the Israeli regime is seeking to draw Lebanon into internal war and sectarian strife amid ongoing aggression by the Tel Aviv regime against the Arab country.

In a statement released on Monday, the scholars called on “the Lebanese people in all their components not to be drawn into sedition and internal war sought by the occupying Zionist entity.”

They further appealed to all sects and affiliations, Sunni, Shia, Christian, and others to exercise maximum caution against sliding into internal strife or inter-factional conflict that would bring only destruction and devastation.

The scholars reaffirmed their “firm position in supporting Lebanon’s security and stability, its territorial integrity, and the safety of its people.”

They also called for “popular efforts to prevent Lebanon from sliding into further chaos, sedition and conflict.”

The statement stressed that painful past experiences in Lebanon have shown that internal wars produce no victor or defeated party; rather, all are losers, with the nation paying the price in its security, stability, economy, and social fabric.

The scholars expressed hope that wisdom would prevail and that the nation would reject those seeking to sow discord in society.

They added that today’s duty requires prioritizing the voice of reason, strengthening national unity and civil peace, and rejecting all calls for incitement and division, regardless of their source or motives.

The statement further said that Israel is pursuing a “brutal agenda of death and destruction” and seeking to turn Lebanon into another Gaza.

“The Union is following with deep concern the painful developments in beloved Lebanon, marked by killing, destruction, and acts of mass extermination resembling what has taken place in Gaza,” it said.

The scholars also stressed the need for action by “the Arab, Islamic, and international communities” to stop Israeli aggression and ensure Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Elsewhere, they called on Lebanese leadership and institutions “to fully assume their responsibilities in protecting citizens and mobilizing all available resources to preserve security and stability.”

They also urged humanitarian and charitable organizations to mobilize resources, provide urgent relief to those affected, and stand by the Lebanese people in this ordeal.

The developments come as many had hoped that a recently announced US-Iran ceasefire would extend to Lebanon. Instead, Israeli strikes killed more than 350 people across Lebanon in the following days.

According to local health authorities, more than 160 children have been killed in Lebanon since the escalation began.

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