Fri May 02 14:55:52 UTC 2025: ## Lebanon Warns Hamas, Vows to Prevent Use as Launchpad for Attacks Amidst Rising Tensions
**BEIRUT** – Lebanon’s Higher Defence Council has issued a stern warning to Hamas, prohibiting the use of Lebanese territory for attacks against Israel, following recent rocket fire and subsequent Israeli counterstrikes. The warning comes amidst heightened US pressure on Lebanon to disarm groups operating outside the state’s control, including Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas.
President Joseph Aoun, who heads the council, stressed that Lebanon must not be drawn into further conflicts or serve as a platform for regional instability. The council declared it would take “utmost measures” to prevent any further violations of Lebanese sovereignty. While acknowledging the importance of Palestinian rights, Aoun emphasized the need to prioritize Lebanese stability.
The council’s warning follows a series of events including: a 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah; near-daily Israeli violations of a November 2024 US-brokered truce, including airstrikes on Beirut; and rocket attacks from Lebanon into Israel in solidarity with Palestinians following Hamas’s October 2023 offensive. These attacks prompted Israel to launch retaliatory strikes, killing several Hamas commanders in Lebanon.
To address US and Israeli concerns, the Lebanese army recently arrested several individuals, including three alleged Hamas members, in connection with the March rocket attacks. Legal proceedings against those detained are expected to begin next week. However, Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attacks.
The situation highlights the precarious security environment in Lebanon, where Hamas maintains a presence within Palestinian refugee camps, areas where Lebanese authorities have limited control. The ongoing tensions underscore the complex interplay between regional conflicts, internal Lebanese politics, and international pressure on the country.
First Piper 