Hamas has rejected the statements made by Lebanese Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rai, in which he called for deporting Palestinian refugees and resettling them in other countries.

“This stance doesn’t reflect the close relationship between Palestinian and Lebanese political and popular parties,” said Jihad Taha, Hamas spokesperson.

“We hail all the Lebanese officials and popular positions taken against all Israeli schemes targeting the Palestinian and Lebanese arenas,” Taha added.

“We reaffirm that Palestinian refugees are in Lebanon as guests demanding their natural right to a decent life, as per international conventions, and rejecting all resettlement proposals while looking forward to returning to their homeland, from which they were forced by the Israeli occupation.”