Hamas announced on Monday the establishment in Lebanon of a new group named the “Vanguards of Al-Aqsa Flood,” whose mission is to “liberate Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
Despite the announcement, Lebanese officials chose not to comment, effectively turning a blind eye to the situation. This leaves the country vulnerable to the decisions of an armed militia capable of potentially dragging Lebanon into a conflict.
However, criticism emerged from opposition circles regarding the creation of the “Vanguards of Al-Aqsa Flood,” drawing parallels to the ill-fated Fateh Land. Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel expressed disapproval, stating, “The rightful place for the Vanguards of Al-Aqsa Flood is in Palestine, not in Lebanon,” on his X account. He further emphasized, “We will not return to a bygone era,” alluding to the time when Yasser Arafat’s PLO initiated military operations against Israel from Lebanese territory.
Opposition MP Michel Doueihy rejected Hamas’s initiative, condemning it as a blatant attack on Lebanese sovereignty and on the Lebanese people. He said, “Although they support the Palestinian cause, the Lebanese made it clear that they do no want what remains of Lebanon to be destroyed and that they seek stability.” Doueihy asserted that “the government and the army must confront any assault on Lebanese sovereignty.”
His colleague Mark Daou pointed out on his X account that “Lebanon is a State, not a stage for Hamas to launch” attacks. He urged the Palestinian group to reconsider its decision, warning that failure to do so would be regarded “as a hostile act against the Lebanese people and an attack on their security.”
MP Ziad Hawat (Lebanese Forces), also on his X account, warned against repeating past mistakes that “served a non-Lebanese project.” He stressed that ” The Vanguards of Al-Aqsa Flood and the illicit weapons of Hezbollah embody chaos and violate sovereignty.” According to Hawat, “the only viable solution lies in the existence of a real State,” emphasizing that “only the army can protect Lebanon.”
Fouad Abou Nader, president of the Nawraj association, interpreted Hamas’s move as an first step towards “military mobilization (of Palestinians in Lebanon), the arming of camps, and the establishment of training camps.” He expressed concern that this “goes against the interests and stability of the Lebanese State and constitutes another violation of Resolution 1701.” Abou Nader insisted that these small groups should conduct their activities from Gaza, not Lebanon.
The Saydet el-Jabal Forum rejected what it termed “an abominable announcement,” stressing that it “takes Lebanon back to an era marked by division.” Describing it as a provocative measure, the forum stressed the importance of “holding Iran, particularly through Hezbollah that coordinates with Hamas, accountable for attempting to exploit the power vacuum in Lebanon to transform the country into a base for the liberation of Palestine.” Saydet el-Jabal also deemed it “necessary to condemn the negligence of authorities responsible for implementing Resolution 1701” and called on opposition figures and forces to organize a political and popular sit-in to protest against the Hamas announcement.
