November 3, 2026
In light of the security concerns raised by the terrorist attack on a church in the Jordanian city of Karak, and the accompanying concern in some Lebanese circles about the possibility of the return of ISIS sleeper cells, military sources resolved the controversy, confirming that the internal security situation is stable, and that there is no information or indications indicating the presence of imminent terrorist threats, while revealing the pressures the Lebanese army was exposed to during the Tampa negotiations to accept direct coordination with the Israeli army.
In an article by journalist Imad Marmal in Al-Jumhuriya newspaper, which continues to keep up with sensitive political and security files with professionalism and attention to detail, the writer highlights the reality of the fears that emerged following the Karak attack, based on data from military sources that dispel concerns about the security of churches, and at the same time reveal an aspect of the pressures facing the military establishment in the Tampa negotiations.
According to what Marmel reported, the fears that followed the attack prompted the strengthening of security measures in the vicinity of a number of Lebanese churches during Sunday Masses, especially the Church of Saint Mikhael – An-Nahr in the Achrafieh area, where members of the Lebanese army were deployed in conjunction with preparations to celebrate the feast of the church’s patron saint.
However, military sources explained that these measures came in response to concerns expressed by those in charge of some churches, with the aim of reassuring them and comforting believers, and not as a result of intelligence information about imminent threats or plans to carry out attacks.
The sources confirmed that no suspicious activity of ISIS cells has been recently detected, whether visible or dormant, denying the validity of the information circulating about the reactivation of these cells in Lebanon.
She criticized the unproven information that is sometimes published about the organization’s return, considering that some media outlets resort to raising fears in pursuit of views, and stressing that the military establishment and security services remain the reference that can be relied upon to assess threats.
Regarding internal affairs, the sources confirmed that the security situation is under control, calling on the political and media forces to deal responsibly with the sensitive phase that Lebanon is going through.
She warned of the danger of political statements that target the army and push towards internal fighting, even if this leads to division and fragmentation of the military institution, considering that these positions constitute pressure on the army and political authority, and do not serve the national interest.
She stressed that the army maintains its cohesion and unity of ranks, and will not be affected by accusation and criminalization campaigns, stressing that it will continue to perform its duties within the available capabilities, and based on its military doctrine in light of the continued Israeli occupation and attacks on Lebanon.
As for the military negotiations in Tampa, the sources revealed that the previous round did not achieve any positive breakthrough, noting that the Lebanese army was subjected to pressure to accept arrangements that include direct coordination with the Israeli army, through the establishment of a unified operations room, the implementation of joint patrols, and the adoption of a joint verification mechanism, without the presence of the American mediator at all these levels.
It confirmed that the military establishment rejected these proposals, insisting that all procedures and communications take place through the American mediator and under its auspices, without any direct coordination with the Israeli side.
She explained that this position is consistent with the official Lebanese orientation and the negotiating path of the political authority.
Thus, the data that Marmel highlighted in his article combine two basic messages: reassuring the Lebanese that there are no indications of an imminent terrorist threat, and confirming that external pressures will not push the army to accept direct military arrangements with Israel outside the framework of American mediation and the official Lebanese position.
