“Stand up and take your country back.” But in Shia, Sunni, and Christian neighbourhoods of Beirut on Wednesday morning, Netanyahu’s appeal fell largely – if not entirely – on deaf ears. “Take your country back!” But in the Shia, Sunni, and Christian neighbourhoods in Beirut, on Wednesday morning, Netanyahu’s appeal fell largely, if not entirely, on deaf ear. “Yes, we heard the speech, but nobody here is listening to Netanyahu,” said Yusuf Habbal (31), as he cut pieces from the traditional Lebanese dessert Kunafah at his shop in Tariq El Jdideh a Sunni neighborhood. The Israelis are the ones driving this conflict. “Netanyahu warns Lebanon that it will be destroyed like Gaza.” But Habbal and his Sunni friends “also do not accept” what Hezbollah does, he said. Beiruti know that Hezbollah is a group with its own agenda. They are now driving us into a conflict we don’t want. Joel Gunter/BBCHezbollah is a more powerful and better-armed force in Lebanon than its own military. It began firing rockets at northern Israel one year ago in support of Hamas, the day after the 7 October attack. The Hezbollah missiles marked the beginning of a second phase in the conflict with Israel. Israel escalated the simmering conflict last month when it expanded its bombardment of Lebanon, including Beirut, and launched a ground invasion of the south of the nation. “They are striking very near us now and it’s terrifying,” said Mohammed Khair as he got his hair cut at a Tariq El Jdideh barbershop. “Nobody wants this war but nobody will be turned against Hezbollah because of something Netanyahu said on a video,” said Khair. “Netanyahu is always talking to the Palestinians, the Lebanese,” stated Tarraf Nasser a 76 year old retiree who passed by the barbershop “Nobody listens,” he said. “He’s not really talking to me.” Joel Gunter/BBCIIn Achrafieh in Beirut, the main Christian neighbourhood, the Lebanese were unable to heed Netanyahu’s advice even if they tried. He should look after his people, and not ours,” Antoine said. “At the same, it is true that there are things we can do to get rid of the influence of Iran.” We don’t even have any politicians who are truly Lebanese. All of our politicians are linked to other countries or groups, mainly Iran. “Nobody in Lebanon would have domestic conflict if Netanyahu had told them to,” Antoine said. “We’ll do that on our behalf.” Across the street in her shoe store, Maya Habib gave a tired shrug to the Israeli Prime Minister’s video appeal. “Everyone knows that Israel lies,” said Habib. “But listen, he might have a point.” He warned everyone to stay away from us and not attack us. Habib said that among the Christians in Achrafieh “people are paying more attention” to Netanyahu. “But nobody can even do anything,” she said again, shrugging. “We don’t even have a President.” Netanyahu says all weapons should be given to the Lebanese Army, but how? Joel Gunter/BBCHezbollah still has a strong following in neighbourhoods where they are the dominant force. Fadi Ali Kirkyani, 52, a corner shop owner, said that he and other Shia residents in the Mar Elias area were fully behind the group. “We are all Hezbollah, whatever Hezbollah is doing, we will support them,” he said. Kiryani, like other residents of Mar Elias said he wasn’t concerned by Netanyahu’s threat that Lebanon will suffer the same destruction as Gaza. “Even if the situation becomes worse here, we will still be flying the flag,” he added. My house in Dahieh was already destroyed. I would rather have my house destroyed than damage to the shoe of a Hezbollah member.” Fany Sharara, 75, sat behind the desk of a 40-year old towel and bedlinens store. She said that Hezbollah is the only force protecting the people of Lebanon. “Nothing Netanyahu can say will change my mind,” said Sharara. Sharara continued, “He is an assassin and a criminal. He cannot leave a child alive.” Israel had “all of Europe” and “all of America” by its side. “We are with Hezbollah, because they are the ones who are defending us.” Not the Lebanese Government.”A few doors away, and a few more years younger, Ali Shoura, 24, was simply tired of everyone involved. “Nobody cares. The politicians, the people at the top, the Lebanese Government, Iran, Israel and America. Hezbollah included. “He shook it off. He said, “It’s just a show.” “And we are victims all.” Joanna Mazjoub contributed this report.