On the Situation in Southern Lebanon and the Protection of Human Dignity

8 April 2026

The Royal House of Ghassan, together with the Royal Sheikhs El Chemor of Ghassan, issues this formal statement following careful review by the Royal Council, its advisors, and its Special Envoys regarding the ongoing military actions of the State of Israel in southern Lebanon and the resulting humanitarian crisis.

The Royal House of Ghassan, as an international NGO in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, affirms its commitment to the protection of human dignity, the rule of international law, and the pursuit of just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

I. Statement of Concern

We express profound alarm at the scale and intensity of military operations conducted in southern Lebanon and the resulting destruction of civilian infrastructure, displacement of communities, and obstruction of humanitarian access.

Southern Lebanon is not an abstraction of military geography. It is a living region composed of historic villages, parishes, schools, agricultural lands, and interwoven communities of Christians, Muslims, and Druze. The widespread displacement of civilians, the destruction of homes and essential services, and the disruption of humanitarian relief represent not only a material crisis, but a moral one.

From the perspective of public theology, grounded in the Christian tradition and informed by the Maronite heritage of Lebanon, the dignity of the human person is inviolable. Any conduct in war that disregards this dignity must be subject to both moral scrutiny and legal accountability.

II. Legal and Moral Framework

The Royal House of Ghassan affirms the binding nature of international humanitarian law, including the principles of:

• Distinction, requiring the differentiation between civilians and combatants;

• Proportionality, prohibiting attacks in which civilian harm would be excessive in relation to anticipated military advantage;

• Precaution, mandating all feasible measures to minimize civilian harm.

These principles are not optional. They constitute the minimum standard of lawful conduct in armed conflict.

We therefore state clearly:

The large-scale destruction of civilian life and infrastructure, the forced displacement of populations, and the endangerment or obstruction of humanitarian assistance raise grave concerns under international law and cannot be morally normalized.

While states possess the right to defend their populations, this right does not absolve them of their obligations under international law. Security cannot be invoked as a justification for disproportionate harm to civilian populations.

III. A Balanced Moral Clarity

The Royal House of Ghassan further affirms that all violations of international humanitarian law must be addressed consistently.

Indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including those carried out by non-state actors such as Hezbollah, are likewise violations of international law and contribute to the suffering of all peoples in the region.

However, it must be stated unequivocally:

Violations by one party do not justify violations by another.

The suffering of one population does not legitimize the suffering of another.

IV. The Vocation of Lebanon

Lebanon holds a unique and irreplaceable place in the moral and cultural fabric of the Middle East. It is called to be a land of coexistence, pluralism, and freedom.

The depopulation of southern Lebanon, the erosion of local communities, and the expansion of fear undermine not only national stability but the very vocation of Lebanon as a place of shared life among diverse religious and cultural traditions.

From a Maronite Christian perspective, this moment calls not for resignation, but for steadfast commitment to justice, dignity, and peace rooted in truth.

V. Calls to Action

Accordingly, the Royal House of Ghassan calls for:

1. Immediate Protection of Civilians

An immediate cessation of attacks that endanger civilian populations and civilian infrastructure.

2. Humanitarian Access

The guaranteed and secure passage of humanitarian aid, including food, water, medical care, and essential services to all affected communities.

3. Respect for Lebanese Sovereignty

Full adherence to international legal frameworks, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.

4. Protection of Humanitarian and International Personnel

Safeguards for journalists, medical personnel, humanitarian workers, and peacekeeping forces operating under international mandate.

5. Independent Investigation and Accountability

Credible and impartial investigations into incidents involving civilian harm, with appropriate mechanisms of accountability under international law.

6. Renewed Diplomatic Engagement

A serious and sustained diplomatic process that prioritizes the protection of human life, regional stability, and the long-term flourishing of all communities.

VI. A Public Theological Witness

The Royal House of Ghassan speaks not only as a diplomatic and humanitarian actor, but as a witness rooted in the Christian heritage of the Levant.

The Gospel compels a refusal to accept the normalization of suffering. It calls for the defense of the vulnerable, the naming of injustice, and the pursuit of peace grounded in righteousness.

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice, the protection of human dignity, and the restoration of right relationships among people.

VII. Conclusion

We affirm the equal dignity of all human life, Lebanese, Palestinian, Israeli, and all others affected by this conflict. We reject all forms of hatred, including antisemitism, anti-Arab prejudice, and anti-Christian violence.

We call upon the international community, states, churches, and all people of conscience to act with urgency and moral clarity.

Southern Lebanon does not require abstraction. It requires protection.

It requires law.

It requires a humanitarian response.

It requires peace grounded in justice.

Issued by the Royal House of Ghassan

HIRH Sovereign Prince Gharios El Chemor

Head of the Royal House of Ghassan

HIRH Crown Prince Selim El Chemor

HIRH Prince Michel El Chemor

HIRH Prince Khalil El Chemor

HIRH Prince Antoine Majid El Chemor

HRH Sheikh Dr. Naji Gharios El Chemor

Attested and Published by the Grand Chancellor, Rev Dr Christian Dominic Boyd