Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
Since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on September 23, Lebanon has been enduring widespread destruction that has affected most cities and villages, including the border areas, which have become nearly abandoned. The constant and intense bombardment by the Israeli military, using the most advanced aerial weapons, has led to the death of dozens of civilians and the destruction of hundreds of homes and vital facilities.
The impact of Israeli airstrikes goes beyond human casualties; it extends to Lebanon’s economy and infrastructure. Israeli aircraft have destroyed many industrial facilities, making it increasingly difficult for Lebanon to provide essential goods to its citizens. Additionally, many roads and bridges have been bombed, severely hindering transportation between cities and isolating regions from each other.
Victims of Israeli Bombardment
Since the start of the attack, more than 3,700 Lebanese people have been killed, including children, women, and the elderly. What is particularly heartbreaking is the large number of children who have lost their lives due to the airstrikes. While Lebanese families stand powerless before the scenes of destruction, the international community has largely been indifferent, offering only diplomatic statements without providing any meaningful solutions.
Israel has repeatedly claimed that its targets are sites associated with Hezbollah and other armed militias it considers a threat to its national security, but these attacks do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Many villages, where no armed elements are present, have been targeted, raising serious questions about Israel’s military strategy in Lebanon.
Destruction of Homes and Public Infrastructure
Since the bombardment began, most villages in southern Lebanon and border cities have been abandoned. The destruction is all-encompassing: homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques. In the village of Sarafand, which was once one of Lebanon’s most prominent towns, a five-year-old child was killed by an Israeli missile that hit their home. The child was buried the next day. This child, along with many others who perished in the attacks, has become a symbol of innocent victims who were simply born in a land of conflict.
At the same time, no sector of life has been spared from the aerial attacks. Israeli aircraft, equipped with smart missiles, have destroyed several hospitals in the southern region. Schools near the frontlines have been completely obliterated, forcing many students to abandon their studies. This has exacerbated the suffering of the Lebanese people, who were already grappling with political and economic crises.
Military Reality and Israeli Threats
Although Israel presents itself as a supporter of regional security and stability, the situation on the ground tells a different story. The Israeli military, considered one of the strongest in the region, has launched a continuous assault on Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah, according to military experts, is showing strong resistance. In response to Israeli airstrikes, Hezbollah has launched missiles at Israeli settlements in the occupied northern Palestinian territories, resulting in numerous casualties among Israelis.
Many military sources have confirmed that Hezbollah now possesses advanced military capabilities and has managed to shoot down several Israeli aircraft using anti-aircraft missiles, inflicting significant losses on the Israeli army. Concerns have grown within the Israeli leadership that Lebanese resistance may impose a new deterrence equation, especially after recent attacks targeting Israeli drones.
Humanitarian Situation and Social Consequences
The effects of the war have not only resulted in material destruction but have also deeply impacted Lebanon’s social life. The ongoing conflict has led to mass displacement of thousands of Lebanese from their homes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. More than 1.5 million people have become homeless, suffering from severe shortages of food and medicine.
The Lebanese government, despite its continuous attempts to provide assistance, faces significant challenges in coordinating between areas controlled by the Lebanese army and those under Hezbollah’s influence. International organizations, such as the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies, have begun to send aid, but they are struggling to reach affected areas due to continuous Israeli bombardment.
Arab and International Reactions
At the Arab level, the Israeli attack has sparked strong reactions from many Arab countries, where governments have expressed their outrage at the situation in Lebanon, calling for an immediate ceasefire. Many international human rights organizations have condemned Israel’s violations of Lebanese rights, but these calls have been met with little response from the international political community.
At the international level, the United States has been Israel’s main ally in this war, providing unlimited support to the Israeli military. Despite some Western criticism of Israel’s actions, the political and military support has continued, adding more pressure on Lebanon and the Palestinian people in facing the growing challenges.
The situation in Lebanon continues to worsen day by day, with the ongoing Israeli aggression aimed at weakening Lebanese resistance. However, the Lebanese people, despite all the pain and suffering, continue to stand firm in the face of the aggression, reaffirming that war will not break their will. With each passing day, casualties rise, and the wounds of the nation grow deeper, but the hope for liberation and justice remains a guiding light for the people of this land.
