The president of the "Free Patriotic Movement" in Lebanon, Jibran Basil, emphasized the rejection of the unlimited linking between the fronts of Lebanon and Gaza. Basil stated, "We reject the unlimited linking between the fronts of Gaza and Lebanon because it increases conflict and strife." In a special interview with "Sky News Arabia," Basil explained that Yahya Sinwar (the leader of Hamas) "is the one who initiated the war with Israel, and he is the one who decides about ending it in Palestine."
Basil added, "Our stance in the movement is based on a fundamental principle that prioritizes the interest of Lebanon first." He continued, "We are against linking the Lebanon front with Gaza because we cannot proceed based on a decision in Sinwar's hands. We do not want a war that we did not decide on, which would cost us economically, in terms of lives, and in our properties."
**Hypothesis of a Comprehensive War**
Basil asserted that Israel is "militarily, politically, and publicly incapable of launching a comprehensive war," adding that it is trying to "promote the possibility of a comprehensive war to harm Lebanon." Basil denied that Israel would undertake a comprehensive war and pointed out that the movement has requested the Lebanese state to work on demanding an international resolution from the Security Council to halt fire on the Lebanese borders. He noted the existence of key issues of contention with Israel, particularly the issue of aggressions that were present even before the escalation, and preventing Lebanon from exploiting its resources.
