BEIRUT — A Lebanese court sentenced two Lebanese citizens to 15 years in prison in absentia after they were accused of inciting Israeli military action against Hezbollah targets. This judicial action occurred as the Lebanese government announced that Hezbollah agreed to a U.S.-proposed plan for a mutual cessation of attacks with Israel.
The trial for the two citizens began in November 2024. Accusations centered on collaborating with Israel and inciting continued Israeli military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. One of the accused, Ahmad Yassine, was charged with inciting the Israeli military to bomb the Baalbek Citadel. These charges stemmed from disseminating claims that the site housed Hezbollah weapons depots.
Yassine, who operates a YouTube channel and resides in France as a political refugee, commented on the legal proceedings. "I'm a civilian. Why am I being tried before a military court? I accept that they may attempt to kill me, but I do not accept it coming from someone in a suit." Yassine said. The other individual, Joumana Gebara, was accused of praising Israel Defense Forces Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee and thanking him for striking Hezbollah targets, in addition to calling for normalization.
During U.S.-mediated discussions at the U.S. State Department, Israel and Lebanon also agreed to establish pilot security zones within Lebanon. These zones would prohibit the presence of Hezbollah militants.
Separately, the Lebanese government has not officially designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. A law enacted in March by Lebanon bans non-state actors, including Hezbollah, from bearing arms.