A recent Israeli airstrike in Saksakiyeh, southern Lebanon, tragically claimed the lives of nine civilians, including a 70-year-old woman, her family, and a two-year-old great-granddaughter. The incident, which destroyed a building sheltering displaced residents, underscores the relentless nature of the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group Hezbollah. Despite a ceasefire announced last month, hostilities continue day and night across the region, with both sides engaging in strikes and counter-strikes.

Southern Lebanon, the heartland of the country’s Shia community and Hezbollah’s primary support base, has endured constant Israeli bombardments. Countless buildings lie in ruins, and streets are deserted as over a million people have been displaced across Lebanon, many from this embattled region. Amidst the devastation, a prevailing sentiment among residents, though weary from successive wars, is that Hezbollah remains the sole force capable of defending them against ongoing Israeli attacks and occupation. The group, which operates as both a militia and a political party, has launched rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel and against Israeli troops.

Hezbollah’s influence extends far beyond its military operations; it functions as a critical social movement, providing essential services like schools and hospitals in areas where state presence is limited. For a historically marginalized Shia community, the group is deeply woven into their daily lives and identity. This multifaceted role contributes to its enduring support, even as its arsenal sparks domestic debate within Lebanon. While Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has expressed a desire to disarm Hezbollah, he acknowledges the difficulty of such a move without further alienating the Shia community. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities maintain their operations aim to establish a ‘security zone’ along the border, free from Hezbollah’s presence, to safeguard their northern communities from attacks, citing previous threats such as a Hezbollah plan to attack Israel similar to the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023.

The human cost of the conflict is profound. In villages like Arab Salim, once home to thousands, only a fraction of the population remains, surrounded by tributes to fallen fighters. Elderly residents, like cousins Fatmeh and Dunya, attest to having weathered many wars, choosing to remain in their homes despite the daily threat. Hussein Haydar, a grocery owner whose business was destroyed, voiced the sentiment shared by many: ‘The community supports Hezbollah because they’re defending us. They’re the only ones keeping us on our land.’ Even in coastal cities like Tyre, where resident Rida Hijazi has witnessed multiple conflicts, the belief persists that Hezbollah cannot lay down its arms ‘as long as Lebanon is under occupation or under threat’. Since the latest escalation began, over 2,800 people have been killed in Lebanon, with more than 400 after the truce, while Israeli authorities report 18 soldiers and four civilians killed.