Lebanese Christians in Rmaich, Lebanon, voice concerns amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah

RMAICH, Lebanon — Tensions are running high among Christians in the village of Rmiach in southern Lebanon, with growing apprehension over the prospect of being drawn into the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Residents expressed frustration and fear, laying blame on Hezbollah for what they perceive as an unwarranted entanglement in a conflict not of their making.

A resident of Rmiach shared with Reuters the prevailing sentiment: “We have nothing to do with this war.” The mounting anxiety is palpable as locals question Hezbollah’s motives, with one resident asking, “Does Hezbollah want to drive us out?”

Echoing these concerns, Lebanese Forces party member and Christian deputy Ghada Ayoub condemned Hezbollah’s interference in their community’s affairs, emphasizing that Christians stand united against such unwelcome intrusion. Ayoub lamented the widening divisions within the country and urged for common ground to rebuild a unified nation.

The border villages, home to 13 Christian communities including Rmaich, bear the brunt of the conflict’s impact. Youssef Salama, a local resident from Klia, located just four kilometers from Lebanon’s southern border, recounted how the war has ravaged their livelihoods, decimating crops and prompting an exodus of their youth. Salama emphasized the mounting hardships faced by Christians in the region, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.

At the outset of the Gaza War, Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mor Bechara Boutros al-Rai called on Lebanon to refrain from involvement, emphasizing that “the war was imposed on Christians.” His recent remarks underscore the sense of imposition felt by the Christian community, highlighting their desire for peace and stability amid the tumultuous landscape of regional conflict.