Desolation in Southern Lebanon
The town in southern Lebanon stands eerily quiet, its streets devoid of life and its marketplace closed, a stark reminder of the months-long conflict between Hezbollah and Israel just across the border. As families fled the violence, the once vibrant community now resembles a ghost town.
This summer, however, a somber event drew a handful of remaining residents back to the heart of the town. In a central square, Hezbollah had constructed massive banners to honor the triple funeral of a man and his two sisters, who were tragically killed when Israeli forces bombed their home in Bint Jbeil. The atmosphere was heavy with grief as the coffins arrived, accompanied by the sounds of martial music resonating through the air.
Among the mourners was Asmaa Alawiyeh, a 32-year-old accountant, who reflected on the harsh realities of life amid the ongoing clashes. She lamented the disruption to her family’s routine: her two children were out of school, her husband, a plumber, struggled to find work, and uncertainty loomed over their future.
“There is no plan,” Ms. Alawiyeh expressed, her voice tinged with despair. “We have no idea what to prepare for because we have no idea what’s coming.”
In the neighboring village of Yarine, U.N. peacekeepers patrol the area, surveying the extensive damage inflicted by Israeli strikes. This situation underscores the dire humanitarian conditions that have enveloped southern Lebanon, leaving residents in a state of unease and longing for a return to normalcy.
