LEBANON CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
November 17, 2023While war rages in Gaza with no end in sight to the brutality Israel is inflicting on the millions of civilians, and the death toll increasing by the day, the citizens of Lebanon nervously contemplate whether Israel’s unquenchable wrath will result in all out war on their southern border.
In this report by Sky News reporter, John Sparks, he visits the border town of Alma al-Shaab where the remaining few residents are asking why Israel is trying to draw their country into a battle that has nothing to do with them.
Since Oct 8, the day after the deadly attacks by Hamas fighters in Oct 7, Israel has been trading fire with Hezbollah militia and other Palestinian groups in the south.
The exchanges have continued to escalate daily with 10 civilians and 60 Hezbollah fighters being killed on the Lebanese side including three sisters and their grandmother, while 2 civilians and 6 soldiers have died on the Israeli side.
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English Script:
The war in Lebanon is fought amongst the trees and hilltop communities which form the border with Israel. It’s a battle of strike and counterstrike, fast growing in intensity. And tens of thousands have fled. It looks deserted. Can’t see anybody. See if we can find the local priest. A small number remain, including civilians in a Christian village called Alma al-Shaab.
We couldn’t find the church, but we did find Milad Eid.
What’s it been like today?
It was very worst.
It’s getting worse.
Oh, my God.
Mr. Eid runs the local guesthouse seen here. But at least it hasn’t been hit.
Here, you can see the roof. Yeah, Over there. And all the glasses…even we have, the old trees got burnt.
Israeli fire has smashed into outlying districts where factions like Hezbollah have been launching their rockets. In response, Israel has tried to wipe out their cover. According to villagers, trees destroyed by artillery fire and white phosphorus. It’s quite a sight. Acres and acres of burnt land, olive trees, fruit trees. And there’s a cliff behind it. It’s blackened. It’s olive harvest time as well.
But they won’t get anything from these trees.
And the tank you can see, the tank from here.
The sense of dread never leaves. A shell has punctured their water tank.
You see the tank over there.
Yeah, I can see it. And there’s a constant whine in the air. That’s the sound of a drone. It’s
very loud. And there are aircraft as well.
You know, the Israelis are here. It’s just that they’re above us. But it’s. They certainly make their presence felt. Its remaining inhabitants now gather at the local shop.
To tell you we are not afraid. We are afraid. You won’t know. You won’t know what’s happened. Maybe now the shell come here. Who knows?
Mr. Consul says they’re caught in the crossfire of someone else’s war.
00:02:20:10 – 00:02:50:14
This battle, does it feel like it’s…
We have nothing to do with it? You know, this is the problem. Nothing to do with this war.
But actually it happened. What can you do?
this is the church, the village church. The door is open. Hello Monseigneur… We found him outside. Father Ghaffari leads a congregation of 100, but there’s only six left now.
It’s not easy to leave we must say…I’m not suicidal, but the situation is bearable. If we leave our village, it could turn into a battlefield.
Hezbollah is increasing its operations. The Israelis have threatened an unimaginable response. The residents of the village say it’s like living on top of the volcano.
John Sparks. Sky News. Alma al-Shaab.