Israeli Escalation Raises Tensions as Lebanon Prepares to Hold Municipal Elections in South

Asharq Al-Awsat

21-05-2025

Lebanon fears that Israeli military escalation could undermine municipal elections scheduled for Saturday in the southern provinces of Nabatieh and South Lebanon, after two days of heavy bombardment raised concerns among voters.
Israeli strikes on Monday and Tuesday targeted areas across the South, fueling anxiety among displaced residents who had planned to return to their villages to vote.
A Lebanese ministerial source told Asharq Al-Awsat the latest escalation, particularly Tuesday's shelling of towns beyond the immediate border area, appears to be 'an attempt by Israel to disrupt voter turnout by heightening tension and fear.'
The source added that the strikes seemed aimed at 'blocking efforts to restore normal life to the South and to undermine a sense of safety through the electoral process.'
Lebanon will press ahead with municipal elections in the South this weekend despite the spike in Israeli attacks, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said on Tuesday, reaffirming that the state would not compromise on its sovereignty.
The elections in the South will conclude the polls that have been held over the past three weeks.
'The Lebanese state has made its decision clear there will be no bargaining over our sovereignty in the South,' Hajjar told reporters after chairing a meeting to oversee preparations for the polls.
Authorities are in contact with international actors to halt Israeli violations during the electoral period, he said, amid fears that security tensions could deter voter turnout or delay ballot counting.
'Israeli aggression and violations continue, and parts of the South remains occupied,' Hajjar said.
'But from the President to the Prime Minister and the Interior Ministry, we are engaged in all necessary diplomatic efforts to stop these violations, especially during the elections, through to the vote count and announcement of results.'
Hajjar expressed hope that talks with member states of the ceasefire committee would help secure a calm election day.
'We are not waiting for guarantees,' he said, 'but we are determined to hold these elections and to assert our presence and sovereignty in this dear part of our land.'