War with Lebanon, never-ending escalation at the expense of the common people

Massive Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon leave over 100 dead and 400 injured. Sources tell AsiaNews that Lebanese civilians are fleeing and seeking shelter in schools and government buildings. The Patriarchal Vicar for Israel says even Nazareth has been hit by rockets and that “it is likely” that all of Galilee will be attacked by Hezbollah. If leaders do not stop, the impact will be “terrible.” Christians are the weak link in this war, as religious tourism dries up and violence spreads in Israel's Arab community.

Nazareth (AsiaNews) – As of today, “a real war is underway” that is beginning to affect “South Lebanon”, where at least a hundred people have died today alone. “The situation is getting more and more dire and people are worried”. Since the conflict escalated last year, “it seems to have no end”, said Lebanese-born Mgr. Rafic Nahra, auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, who has served as Patriarchal Vicar for Israel since 2021.

“The consequences are being borne by ordinary people everywhere,” he explains, “from Gaza to the families of the hostages and the soldiers themselves.” Many of them are students and fathers. “Now Lebanon, a country that is already suffering greatly, is bearing the brunt. This is a cause for deep concern.”

A massive Israeli military attack on Lebanon is currently underway. The Israeli military reports that at least 300 Hezbollah targets across the border have been hit. According to Lebanese estimates, around 100 people were killed and 400 injured.

At a press conference, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari did not rule out a possible ground operation. “The operations will continue until we achieve our goal, which is to return the residents of the north safely to their homes,” he added.

“It is quite possible that the Israeli forces will have to deploy ground troops in Lebanon,” said former Commander of the Israel Defense Forces General Staff Corps, Major General (Res.) Gershon Hacohen.

In Lebanon, acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati, quoted by the newspaper An-Naharsaid: “The ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon is a war of extermination in the truest sense of the word and a plan of destruction aimed at the destruction of Lebanese villages and cities.”

He called on “the United Nations and the General Assembly, as well as influential countries … to deter (Israeli) aggression.”

Sources in southern Lebanon spoke to AsiaNews There is a massive exodus of civilians, with people seeking shelter in schools and government buildings amid high tensions and enormous hardship.

The pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah, for its part, said it had attacked three targets in northern Israel and described this as a “response” to Israel's intense attacks.

Israel’s official broadcaster, CANreports that Israeli authorities are investigating reports that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in recent IDF attacks in the Gaza Strip.

Reports of rocket attacks on Haifa and, for the first time since 2006, on Nazareth, which could be bombed even more heavily in the coming days, are signs that the conflict is escalating.

“Right now we are hearing the rockets,” said Bishop Nahra. “Last night a piece of shrapnel hit very close by. Now it is likely that the whole of Galilee will be attacked by the Lebanese Hezbollah in response to the Israeli military… It is clear to everyone that we are now facing open war.”

Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon would be affected, but other Shiite armed groups in the region could also intervene. In Iraq, some are prepared to intervene, which is what happened at the weekend. The Houthis are also acting, and have been doing so for months from Yemen in a conflict that is increasingly developing into a regional conflict.

For the Prelate, it is clear that this war hurts on various levels: material damage, interpersonal relationships, growing mistrust and fear. All this must stop, otherwise the social consequences will be terrible.”

“We hope that a solution will be reached and the violence will stop. That is the task of the politicians,” who have fanned the flames of conflict and tension in recent months. “But they must turn in that direction and we pray to God, which is not just an empty phrase, for that to happen.”

Unfortunately, Christians will pay the price for this, as they will be seen as a weak link in a chain that is enmeshing the Middle East in permanent conflict.

And the problem, according to the prelate, is “not just the war and the absence of pilgrims. Despite the general silence, violence is growing in the Arab (Israeli) community, forcing people to flee.”

“Since January 2024 alone, at least 175 people have been killed, not for ethnic-religious reasons nor in clashes between Christians and Muslims, but in criminal incidents.”

There are only a few days left until the tragic anniversary of October 7, when Hamas carried out the terrorist attack in southern Israel that sparked the conflict in the Gaza Strip and, in a domino effect, fanned the flames of conflict in many parts of the region.

“We have to rebuild everything, in Israel and Palestine, and we will not be the same as before, even if it is difficult to imagine the consequences.

“Radicalization has increased and that is why it is even more urgent that people of good will work together, restore trust and everyone is ready to work together – Christians, Jews, Muslims. But as long as there is violence, these are all just words… We need a ceasefire!”