Lebanon (MNN) — The escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon carries hints of all-out war. Israeli troops began a military incursion into southern Lebanon late Monday. While Iran showered Israel with nearly 200 missiles the very next day, Hezbollah has sent its own smaller barrage over Israel’s northern border.
“All this has made for a very tense, emotionally stressed society in Lebanon,” says Tom Atema with Heart for Lebanon. “This has been going on since October 8th, one day after the massacre in Israel, and it’s been escalating every day since.”
Potential return to a UN resolution from 2006
On Monday, Lebanon’s prime minister, Najib Mikati, said he was prepared to implement the 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to end Hezbollah’s armed presence south of the Litani River.
Atema notes a difference between this conflict and the month-long war between Hezbollah and Israel more than 18 years ago in 2006.
“What’s different is the first [war] had clear, defined goals, and it lasted a very short period of time. It ended because the UN in a unanimous decision [resolved] that Hezbollah would not go below the [Litani] river and would not have any military activity between that point and the Israeli border — and the war ended.”
He continues, “Now you have a case where the UN has not enforced that rule at all. I’ve seen in my own eyes what Hezbollah has close to the border. They keep firing, and Israel keeps firing, and they’re (Israel) trying to push Hezbollah back up to that blue line that everybody agrees is the line. At least that’s what’s publicly being said.”
Mass displacement today
Around 1 million Lebanese civilians have fled their homes to escape the violence — one fifth of the entire population of Lebanon. A staggering 90% of those 1 million people are estimated to have fled just in the last week, according to OCHA Lebanon.
(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon via Facebook)
“Their villages and homes have been destroyed. Apartment complexes have been destroyed. They have no way to cook. They have no way to make a hot meal. They have no way to even keep refrigerated items,” Atema says.
“So we have pivoted from our monthly food portions to a daily food box. We’re also now partnering with the churches in Beirut, which we’ve always partnered with, but [now] at a whole new level to do these daily food packages.”
As Christians offer aid in Jesus’ name, you can send in support at heartforlebanon.org. But before you do that, please pray for the Heart for Lebanon team and the nation as a whole.
“The biggest prayer request is for wisdom. The second prayer request is for creativity. The third prayer request would be for the emotional stability of the staff as they deal with the unknowns,” says Atema.
Finally, if you live in the U.S., there are several opportunities to connect with Heart for Lebanon in person this November or December to hear firsthand updates. Visit heartforlebanon.org/legacy-of-hope/ to register for a gathering near you.
Header photo of aid distribution courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.