Rmeish Municipality: 'Shia Homes Looted' Narrative Is Pure Fabrication

Issued by Rmeish Municipality, a statement highlighted that "social media is circulating a video featuring a man named Ismael Al-Najjar, who appeared on the channel 'Al-Afak' in the program 'Al-Bousla,' making false allegations and serious accusations against the town of Rmeish, its people, and its spiritual and civil leadership, relying on fictitious sources with no real-world existence. The statements lack even the most basic standards of accuracy and journalistic responsibility, promoting a venomous sectarian and inflammatory discourse for cheap motives unrelated to patriotism, humanity, or journalistic ethics."

Rmeish Municipality categorically denies all claims made in this video, and wishes to clarify for public opinion and all concerned:

First: The residents of Rmeish have always lived with dignity, consuming only what they earned through their own labor and sweat. Nothing is known about them except their love, solidarity, and dedication to the well-being of their neighbors and livelihoods. The passing of time and ongoing challenges have only strengthened their commitment to the principles and practices of coexistence, good neighborliness, and maintaining the best possible relations with their surroundings—principles upheld for decades, even centuries.

Second: There is no person in Rmeish known as "Abu Nizar." The claim that "Shia homes were looted and their belongings sold in one of the town's squares" is pure fabrication with no basis in reality or evidence, revealing a profound moral decline and blatant ignorance of the actual field conditions prevailing in the region for the past six months.

Third: The security conditions accompanying the current phase since its beginning have led to complete road closures, making access from Rmeish to Aita al-Shaab and Haneen impossible, as well as to any other location outside the residential areas of Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Dibb. Entry and exit from the town are strictly permitted only through a complex procedure under military supervision, with prior authorization from the Lebanese Army and special monitoring by UNIFIL forces—rendering this absurd narrative entirely baseless.

Fourth: The allegation that Rmeish receives individuals from across the border is outright lies and fabrication, an ignoble attempt to sow division and incite hatred against our people, who have sacrificed dearly and continue to sacrifice everything for the preservation of land, identity, and heritage. It is precisely through these sacrifices that they remain the sole hope for the return of their neighbors to their homes and villages.

Rmeish, as a municipality and community, does not need anyone’s validation of its patriotism or ethics, nor will it tolerate any individual daring to slander it with charges of organized theft and political vilification. What this individual has said is neither journalism nor media analysis—it is cheap incitement and an open attempt to stir up discord between Rmeish and neighboring villages. Therefore, we submit the full statement and recording of this individual to the competent Lebanese authorities, firmly asserting our right to take all necessary legal action to hold him accountable for his falsehoods, incitement, and threats to social peace. We also hold the channel 'Al-Afak' and the management of the program 'Al-Bousla' fully responsible for providing a platform and space to promote these fabrications and distortions without verification or evidence.

We call upon the Lebanese public, regardless of their affiliations, to refrain from following such rhetoric, reject it, and confront it with greater patriotism, unity, and solidarity. The dignity of Rmeish and its people, like that of all Lebanese, is not a tool for political or sectarian manipulation nor a means to boost viewership."