Hezbollah has warned that Israel’s territorial ambitions extend beyond southern Lebanon, urging Lebanese authorities to take immediate action to protect the country’s sovereignty, territory and natural resources.

Hezbollah said in a statement on Sunday that an Israeli Foreign Ministry map depicting occupied southern Lebanese territory as part of the occupied lands provided clear evidence of Israel’s broader territorial ambitions toward Lebanon.

The group said the map demonstrated that Israel had not abandoned its claims over Lebanese territory, resources and national assets, warning that the issue should be treated as a serious threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Hezbollah also criticized Israel’s decision to engage in direct negotiations with Lebanese authorities, describing the talks as an attempt to buy time while creating new realities on the ground.

According to the statement, Israel’s actions should not be viewed separately from the broader question of Lebanon’s territorial integrity and its right to exercise full sovereignty over its land and natural resources.

Hezbollah held Lebanese authorities responsible for a continuing policy of concessions and unilateral compromises in dealings with Israel.

The group called on Beirut to conduct a comprehensive review of its approach and reconsider direct negotiations that, in its view, are taking place without sufficient leverage to protect Lebanese interests.

It urged the Lebanese government and the Higher Defense Council to respond immediately to this serious development.

Hezbollah also called for an emergency session of the relevant Lebanese authorities to determine measures needed to defend the country’s territorial rights, including submitting an urgent complaint to the United Nations Security Council.

The group argued that the publication of the Israeli map provided sufficient grounds for Lebanon to raise the issue through international institutions, regardless of any previous commitments concerning international action against Israel.

Hezbollah appealed to Lebanese citizens across political and sectarian lines to recognize the risks posed to the country by continued concessions and negotiations.

The group called for a unified national position to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to safeguard the country’s rights over its natural resources.

It stressed that the issue should not be reduced to political or sectarian divisions, arguing that protecting Lebanon’s territory is a national responsibility shared by all Lebanese.

Hezbollah concluded its statement by warning that what it described as Israel’s territorial ambitions are not limited to southern Lebanon, but could extend to the country as a whole.

The group urged Lebanese authorities to respond decisively to any attempts to undermine Lebanon’s territorial rights and called for stronger diplomatic, political and national efforts to defend the country’s sovereignty.

The statement comes amid heightened sensitivity in Lebanon over Israel’s military presence and territorial claims in southern Lebanon, as well as ongoing efforts to address outstanding security and border issues through negotiations. (ILKHA)