Some 9,000 Christians in three towns in southern Lebanon are in constant danger due to the war between Israel and Hezbollah, warned Sister Maya El Beaino, religious of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
In statements to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the nun reported that “the situation is horrible. “We are in constant danger.” Furthermore, he explained that “there is no hospital nearby and we only have three hours of electricity a day. “We have no water or internet connection to call for help.”
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For almost a year now, Israeli forces and militants from the terrorist group Hezbollah have exchanged fire as Israel’s incursion into Gaza aimed at taking down Hamas took place.
However, a few days ago the Israeli government ordered the bombing of several parts of Lebanon and the entry of its soldiers into the southern area, with the aim of ending the Shiite group, an ally of Iran.
In this context, the Bishop of Sidon, Bishop Maroun Ammar told ACN that “many people have left their homes in southern Lebanon and taken refuge in our diocese. “We will have to help the displaced and distribute food packages to them.”
For her part, ACN’s project coordinator in Lebanon, Marielle Boutros, reports that “people are now living in church halls” and need material help, especially in anticipation of the arrival of winter, although they remain hopeful. that the conflict does not last so long.
Sister Maya, who decided to stay in Ain Ebel, a village five kilometers from the border with Israel, said that “everyone talks about the people who have fled, but no one talks about the many Christians who have chosen to stay because they fear losing his home and his land forever.”
He added that “although many left the region at the beginning of the Gaza war, many families have returned to their homes because life in Beirut is very expensive and because they could not bear the separation from parents, who had been left alone in the south.”
Currently, ACN has 200 projects in Lebanon, most focused on emergency aid, especially for the dioceses and religious congregations of Beirut and the south of the country.
Eduardo Berdejo
Professional in Social Communication from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Peru, I have more than 20 years of experience in Catholic digital journalism. As part of ACI Prensa I have been sent to cover Pope Francis’ trips to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Peru, in addition to the Synodality Synod in the Vatican in 2023.