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Inside the Christian border town in Lebanon that says it survived by defying Hezbollah
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The church bells still ring in Rmeish on the Lebanon-Israel border.
While much of southern Lebanon has suffered destruction during the war between Israel and the terror group Hezbollah, the predominantly Christian border town close to Israel remained largely untouched. Churches are still standing. Homes remain intact. Residents say the village avoided Israeli strikes because locals refused to allow Hezbollah fighters to operate from inside the town.
«There was more than one attempt for them to come to the outskirts or the entrance of the village to launch rockets from there,» one resident told Jusoor News. «The young men of Rmeish confronted them and prevented them from entering.»
«That led to the protection of Rmeish from any Israeli attacks,» the resident said. «The Israelis do not target aimlessly. They target launch sites.»
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Churches in the southern Lebanese town of Rmeish remained standing throughout the conflict, as residents say the community resisted Hezbollah attempts to launch rockets from the area. (Jusoor News)
The account offers a rare public glimpse into open resistance to Hezbollah inside southern Lebanon, where criticism of the Iranian-backed terrorist group is often met with accusations of treason or collaboration with Israel.
Tarek, a Christian social activist from Rmeish who spoke by phone with Fox News Digital, said residents of the town have long-faced pressure because they refused to align with Hezbollah.
«After 2000, when Israel left, we were always labeled as collaborators of Israel,» Tarek said. «We suffered a lot from this stigma.»
He said Hezbollah supporters accused the town of cooperating with Israel simply because it escaped the destruction seen in neighboring villages.
The interviews come as the Trump administration brokers talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed at stabilizing the border and addressing Hezbollah’s military presence in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem recently rejected any discussion about disarming the group, while U.S. officials continue pushing to strengthen the Lebanese state over the armed terror group.
Hezbollah worked to build facilities below private residential buildings and houses in southern Lebanon. (Benoît Durand / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Tarek argued Hezbollah’s grip on Lebanon cannot be separated from Iran.
«The Lebanese government has been ruled by Hezbollah for almost 36 years,» he told Fox News Digital. «They are deeply entrenched in all arms of the government, security, army and institutions.»
«If the president or prime minister says they want peace, Hezbollah will resist that,» he added.
Tarek said weakening Iran is the key to weakening Hezbollah.
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Residents of the Christian border town of Rmeish in southern Lebanon say the village remained largely untouched during the war after locals prevented Hezbollah fighters from operating inside the town. (Jusoor News)
«It’s about cutting the head of the octopus, which is the Iranian regime,» he said. «Once you cut the head, Hezbollah will no longer function.»
Another resident said many in the town increasingly believe «Hezbollah’s project is an Iranian project, not a Lebanese one.»
Another woman from the village described living surrounded by war while trying to keep the town outside the fighting.
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A landscape view of Rmeish, a predominantly Christian town near the Israel-Lebanon border whose residents say they worked to keep Hezbollah fighters out of the village during the war. (Jusoor News)
«We are in the middle, and the war surrounds us from all sides,» she said. «This makes us live in a state of fear, anxiety, insecurity and instability.»
A man from the village said residents had endured decades of wars that they have nothing to do with.
«We decided to remain steadfast,» he said. «Where would we go?»
An older resident said his family has suffered from violence along the border since the 1970s.
«We are tired of wars,» he said. «We want nothing but peace.»
Despite accusations from Hezbollah supporters, residents insisted they do not regret standing up to the terrorist group.
«All accusations of treason are rejected,» one resident said. «The people of Rmeish want to live safely on their land.»
Another resident added: «Just because I don’t believe in your project doesn’t mean I’m a traitor.»
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A view of the southern Lebanese border town of Rmeish near Israel. (Jusoor News)
Ahed Al Hendi, a senior fellow at the Center for Peace Communications, told Fox News Digital that, «The defiance shown by Christians in southern Lebanon reflects a major shift in the country’s internal dynamics. For more than two decades, many Christians living near the border suffered under Hezbollah’s dominance, yet were stigmatized and often afraid to speak openly against it.»
«Today,» Al Hendi added, «with the changing balance of power, they are increasingly confronting Hezbollah publicly and speaking out against what they see as its tyranny.»
lebanon, wars, terrorism, iran, israel
INTERNACIONAL
Israel reafirmó mantendrá sus operaciones y la denominada “zona de seguridad” en el sur de Líbano pese a las exigencias de Irán
El primer ministro de Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, el ministro de Defensa, Israel Katz, y el jefe del Estado Mayor, Eyal Zamir, reafirmaron este lunes que las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel (FDI) mantendrán sus operaciones y la denominada “zona de seguridad” en el sur de Líbano, pese a las exigencias de Irán para que cesen estas acciones en el marco de sus conversaciones con Estados Unidos.
“Las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel (FDI) continuarán actuando con determinación para neutralizar las amenazas contra nuestros soldados y ciudadanos, desmantelar la infraestructura terrorista y mantener la zona de seguridad en el sur de Líbano”, señalaron Netanyahu, Katz y Zamir en una declaración conjunta difundida por la oficina del primer ministro.
El pronunciamiento llegó tras una reunión en la que también participó el comandante del Mando Norte, Rafi Milo. Según el comunicado, los responsables israelíes “han aclarado que la seguridad de los ciudadanos israelíes y de las fuerzas de las FDI seguirá siendo su principio rector, sin concesiones”.
Las autoridades israelíes reiteraron así su negativa a abandonar la franja que sus tropas ocupan en territorio libanés, una posición que justifican por motivos de seguridad para las comunidades del norte de Israel.
Las FDI continúan sus operaciones en esa zona con ataques dirigidos contra el grupo terrorisra Hezbollah. Según las autoridades libanesas, los enfrentamientos entre Israel y Hezbolá desde el 2 de marzo dejan más de 4.000 muertos y 12.000 heridos.
La continuidad de estas operaciones constituye uno de los principales puntos de fricción en las negociaciones entre Irán y Estados Unidos sobre un acuerdo para la paz en Medio Oriente. Teherán reclama el cese total de las acciones militares israelíes en el sur de Líbano.
Sin embargo, funcionarios israelíes insistieron en los últimos días en que no contemplan abandonar el territorio ocupado. El ministro de Exteriores, Gideon Saar, sostuvo el lunes que el Gobierno israelí no tiene “ambiciones territoriales” en Líbano, un día después de que Netanyahu comparara esa zona con otros territorios bajo control militar israelí en la Franja de Gaza y en Siria.
En un discurso televisado, el líder de Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, sostuvo que la permanencia de soldados israelíes en territorio libanés es inaceptable. “La permanencia de tropas israelíes en suelo libanés es imposible”, afirmó.
Qassem cuestionó además el concepto de una “zona de seguridad” controlada por Israel y defendió el papel de las Fuerzas Armadas libanesas como responsables exclusivas de la soberanía nacional. «No existen zonas de seguridad para Israel”, señaló.
El líder de Hezbollah también responsabilizó a Estados Unidos por la situación actual y aseguró que Israel deberá retirarse. “Israel es un agresor y debe marcharse”, dijo. Más adelante agregó: “Israel no permanecerá en el Líbano, incluso si aumenta sus crímenes, y nosotros nos defenderemos”.
Aunque los enfrentamientos en territorio libanés se han reducido desde el fin de semana, las tensiones continúan. Qassem advirtió que su organización respetará cualquier alto el fuego acordado dentro del marco de un cese integral de las hostilidades, pero dejó abierta la posibilidad de responder ante cualquier incumplimiento. “Nos enfrentaremos a cualquier violación”, afirmó.
Las diferencias sobre el futuro del sur del Líbano, la influencia regional de Irán y las garantías de seguridad para Israel aparecen así como algunos de los principales desafíos que deberán resolverse durante las negociaciones en marcha. Mientras Washington y Teherán intentan avanzar hacia un acuerdo más amplio, las declaraciones cruzadas de Netanyahu y Hezbollah reflejan que varios de los temas más sensibles del conflicto siguen lejos de encontrar una solución definitiva.
(Con información de Europa Press)
20260530_zaf_ap3_010.jpg,300526_jerusalem_ipmo_00_4_.jpg,press
INTERNACIONAL
Vance takes lead selling Trump’s Iran gamble as Rubio, Hegseth and Ratcliffe cede spotlight on fragile deal
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Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland this week as the Trump administration’s most visible defender of a fragile Iran memorandum of understanding, even as officials moved to tamp down reports of internal concern over whether Tehran can be trusted to follow through on nuclear concessions.
«If it doesn’t happen, I’m blaming JD Vance. If it does happen, I’m taking full credit,» joked President Donald Trump this month of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran.
The MOU, signed last week, has not resolved the core dispute over Iran’s nuclear program, but instead opened a 60-day negotiating window aimed at turning broad commitments into enforceable terms — leaving Vance to defend a framework that supporters call a diplomatic opening for sustained stability in the region and skeptics fear could give Tehran room to stall.
While Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have been central to previous high-profile foreign policy missions, Vance spent last week as one of the administration’s chief public advocates for the Iran deal, repeatedly fielding questions about the negotiations during a media blitz for his new book.
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Trump addresses the media alongside United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, US Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick , US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent during a closing press conference at the G7 summit. (Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)
A senior U.S. official told Fox News Digital earlier this month that there was a «split» inside the administration on support of the Iran MOU but wouldn’t say which officials did not support the decision. The talks have been fragile for weeks, with the MOU serving less as a breakthrough than a temporary framework while U.S. officials continue to wrestle with whether Iran can be trusted to follow through on nuclear commitments.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe reportedly emerged as a key intelligence leader who expressed doubt about the intelligence behind the Iran deal to Trump and other senior officials, Axios reported. Rubio and Hegseth also reportedly held reservations, while Vance and other officials advocated for the MOU, according to the outlet.
The CIA did not comment when asked by Fox News Digital if Ratcliffe was skeptical about the deal.
A second senior U.S. official told Fox News Digital that Trump officials were all aligned in supporting the deal and viewed it as the appropriate path forward.
While a White House official added that Vance emerged as a lead negotiator because Trump tasked him with the role from the outset, arguing his position as vice president gives him the stature to bring key players from countries such as Qatar and Pakistan to the negotiating table.
When asked about the reports of an alleged «split,» the White House fired back that the MOU meets all the previous requirements expressed by the administration and the president would only sign a «good deal.»
«President Trump listens to all opinions on any given issue — but everyone understands he is the final decisionmaker,» a White House official told Fox News Digital.
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Vice President JD Vance took questions from reporters during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
While Ratcliffe has historically kept a more reserved role as CIA chief, Rubio and Hegseth have embraced the spotlight repeatedly during high-level missions, hosting press briefings and posting on social media – even sharing memes surrounding major policy wins.
Rubio has publicly backed the MOU, but his support has been noticeably more restrained than his advocacy for past foreign policy efforts. The secretary has reposted clips of the deal signing and Vance’s media appearance discussing Iran, but has not directly made a statement. His latest post on X was congratulating Colombian President-Elect Abelardo De La Espriella on his victory.
Rubio was also part of the president’s delegation in France at the G7, seen standing behind him during Trump’s sideline presser on the deal. Rubio did not make any comments during the press conference.
Hegseth also has remained active on social media during the NATO summit, posting updates on alliance-related meetings and highlighting various War Department initiatives, while notably refraining from commenting directly on the Iran agreement.
His last public remarks directly addressing U.S.-Iran relations came more than a month ago on May 5 during a Pentagon briefing alongside Caine. Hegseth discussed Project Freedom, which was a strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure – separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury.
Since then, Hegseth’s public appearances have focused largely on NATO and defense diplomacy, including bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts and engagements with leaders from Italy, Singapore, South Korea and Ecuador.
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe meets with officials in Havana, Cuba, on May 14, 2026, to discuss intelligence matters. (CIA)
The framework has come under fire from conservatives and liberals alike who have drawn comparisons to former President Barack Obama’s JCPOA, a politically toxic benchmark for many Republicans that the president and Vance have rejected in public remarks.
During an appearance on Fox News’ «The Five» last week, Vance argued the JCPOA comparison stems from a misconception because the proverbial carrot-and-stick positions from the Obama-era deal have been reversed.
The Pentagon doubled down on their backing of the Iranian deal when asked by Fox News Digital if there were any doubts.
«Of course, Secretary Hegseth supports the Peace Deal with Iran and all of President Trump’s objectives,» Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News Digital when asked if there was any friction about the Iran agreement.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott offered Fox News Digital administration a similar statement backing the Iran deal.
«Secretary Rubio and the entire administration is 100% in lockstep behind President Trump. The President has taken unprecedented action to prevent the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon, making the U.S. and the entire world safer,» Pigott said.
Rubio is heading to Geneva Monday after Vance has already been engaged in discussions with Iranians alongside Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff since Sunday.
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Rubio, Hegseth and Ratcliffe have previously been at the center of some of the Trump administration’s most significant foreign policy engagements and achievements, from high-stakes talks with Vladimir Putin in Alaska to G7 summits and NATO conferences.
Vance’s absence from Trump’s January Mar-a-Lago announcement following the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro drew notice at the time, particularly as Rubio, Hegseth, Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and senior adviser Stephen Miller appeared alongside the president for the administration’s victory-lap moment.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the Office of the Vice President for comment.
Vance stayed late into the night Sunday evening to push the deal to the finish line in an attempt to get nuclear inspections to start as soon as possible.
«It’s funny, we were trying to call some of the inspectors last night around two in the morning. As you can expect, not many people are answering their phone at two in the morning,» said Vance Monday.
«I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today,» Vance added.
Fox News Digital’s Charles Crietz contributed to this report.
pete hegseth, cia, iran, jd vance, marco rubio
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