Lebanese political activist Elie Mahfouz said in an April 23, 2026 interview on MTV (Lebanon) that Hezbollah is responsible for the Israeli presence in southern Lebanon, sharply criticizing the Iran-backed group’s role in dragging the country into conflict.
Mahfouz argued that if Lebanon had a functioning and sovereign government, it would hold Hezbollah leaders accountable for their actions.
He went as far as to say that such a government would take extreme punitive measures, adding that Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem should be the first to face justice, stating that “he belongs in jail.”
His remarks reflect growing internal Lebanese frustration toward Hezbollah, particularly over its military activities and their consequences for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and international standing.