The Israeli military has claimed Hezbollah has taken over the Christian village of Qawzah in southern Lebanon to use its inhabitants as human shields.
According to declassified intelligence released by the IDF, the Iran-backed militant group is now firing rockets, missiles and anti-tank weapons from inside the village.
Israeli officials say they have identified a deliberate pattern over recent months in which Hezbollah positions itself within Christian communities before carrying out attacks.
Defence chiefs believe the militant organisation has calculated that operating from these areas provides a degree of immunity from retaliatory strikes.
It was characterised as part of Hezbollah's broader use of Lebanese civilians as human shields.
According to the IDF, this strategy not only puts residents at risk but also damages their property, with the Tehran-backed faction allegedly preventing some Christian civilians from fleeing conflict areas.
Just days before the Qawzah announcement, Israeli troops uncovered a weapons-laden tunnel in the nearby village of El-Khiam, situated close to a church.
The Givati Brigade discovered three separate shafts within the underground structure, along with mattresses and food supplies used by Hezbollah operatives.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of using Lebanese Christians as human shields
|GETTY
IDF troops had previously cleared El-Khiam in December 2024, yet the tunnel's presence indicated the group had returned to the area.
Israeli military officials have stressed that using church grounds for military purposes violates international law and directly threatens local populations.
The El-Khiam discoveries extended beyond the tunnel, with Israeli commando unit Shayetet 13 locating hundreds of weapons inside a local school, including anti-tank rockets, mortar shells, grenades and explosive devices, some bearing UNHCR markings.
Hezbollah have also been accused of exploiting medical infrastructure, striking a cell over the weekend that allegedly used an ambulance to transport weapons while operatives posed as paramedics.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
IDF officials have stressed using church grounds for military purposes violates international law
|IDF
The Israeli military stated the organisation routinely embeds its operations in schools, religious sites and private homes.
However, some Christian civilians in Lebanon have painted a different picture.
They revealed an unlikely alliance has been forged with the Shia militia, which they say has protected them from Isis terrorists marauding across the Syrian border.
Ras Baalbek, a Catholic community of approximately 6,000 faithful residents boasting two Byzantine churches, has forged an active partnership with the Shia militia.
Some Lebanese Christians have forged an unlikely alliance with Hezbollah against Isis terrorists
|GB NEWS
"How can we as Christians in this area not be with Hezbollah? They protect our churches," Rifaat Nasrallah, a 60-year-old quarryman from the village, said.
"They helped us fight IS. During Covid they gave us free care in their hospitals. When there was no electricity, they gave us generators. How can we not be with them now?"
"The relationship between the village and Hezbollah is stronger than with the Pope.
“The Vatican did nothing for us when Isis attacked, but Hezbollah spilt their blood to protect us. The Pope only has prayers."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter