Rami Ruhayem, a BBC Arabic correspondent based in Beirut, shares his insights on the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. He discusses the harrowing impact on Lebanese civilians, with over 1.2 million displaced and thousands killed. Ruhayem highlights the dual reality of war and resilience within Lebanon, revealing how public sentiment towards Hezbollah is shifting amid the invasion. He also delves into the historical trauma that now shapes the collective psyche, leaving the nation grappling with fear and uncertainty.
The escalation of conflict in Lebanon, primarily due to Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah's retaliatory actions, has resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis with over 1.2 million displaced individuals.
The complex dynamics of loyalty and division among various factions within Lebanese society exacerbate fears of civil unrest amid the ongoing violence.
Deep dives
Escalation of Conflict in Lebanon
Recently, Lebanon has experienced a dramatic escalation of conflict primarily due to Israel's military operations against Hezbollah. Israel launched ground invasions and airstrikes in response to Hezbollah's missile attacks, leading to extensive damage and civilian displacement. The intensity of Israeli bombings has expanded beyond the border areas, affecting cities like Beirut and leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. The situation is further complicated by an ongoing campaign of assassinations targeting Hezbollah leaders, which has fueled the violence and instability in the region.
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
The civil population of Lebanon is facing a massive humanitarian crisis as large-scale displacement has occurred since the conflict escalation began. Approximately 1.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to relentless airstrikes and ground operations, with many moving multiple times as new evacuation orders are issued. The Lebanese government is struggling to provide adequate shelter and resources for these displaced individuals, exacerbating an already challenging situation. Hospitals and other vital services are under extreme pressure, prioritizing wartime injuries over the needs of civilians, leading to widespread fear and suffering.
Political Implications and Societal Sentiment
The ongoing violence has heightened tensions within Lebanese society, as calls from Israeli leadership for citizens to oppose Hezbollah may incite further conflict among various communal groups. There is a palpable fear among the populace regarding the potential for civil unrest, as many people from different factions are being affected by the violence. Political sentiments are deepening, with some voices claiming Hezbollah has dragged Lebanon into further chaos at Iran's behest, presenting a complex landscape of loyalty and division. Amidst these tensions, there remains a degree of solidarity across communities, although the uncertainty of Israel's intentions and the possibility of increased hostilities weigh heavily on the minds of the Lebanese.
Israeli air strikes have forced more than 1.2 million Lebanese to flee their homes in the past few weeks, and have killed more than 2,000 people in the country in the past year. While the fighting has escalated in recent weeks, there have been regular exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel since October 2023. Hezbollah initially began firing missiles into Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid Israel’s war against Hamas, and continues to say that such attacks will only stop with a ceasefire there. Meanwhile, Israel has also launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, and there are fears of further escalation with key Hezbollah backer Iran, which recently fired rockets at several military targets in Israel.
Caitríona Perry talks to Beirut-based BBC Arabic correspondent Rami Ruhayem about how Lebanon is coping with the intensification of a conflict which had been simmering for months.
Producers: Richard Moran, Tom Kavanagh and Mariana Hernandez-Carrillo
Sound engineer: Mike Regaard
Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas
Senior news editor: Sara Wadeson
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