Lebanon: Christians Refuse to Support Hezbollah or Leave Home Amid Israel’s Ground Invasion
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – A number of Christians living in southern Lebanon are facing Israel’s ground invasion against the Hezbollah Shia Islamic terror group with a stoic refusal to come to the aid of Hezbollah or to leave their homes and land, the Washington Post reported exclusively.
Israel launched an invasion of southern Lebanon last month to uproot Hezbollah and stop its year-long relentless campaign of missile and drone attacks against northern Israeli towns and residents.
“While most residents have evacuated, people in some Christian towns — and their priests — are refusing to leave their homes again [Lebanon has seen numerous wars – including with Israel – and much internal strife],” WaPo reports. “Their reasons are a kaleidoscope of defiance, resolve, and generational trauma. Some say they can’t afford to relocate. Some believe their presence deters attacks on their lands. Some fear they won’t be able to return,” WaPo reported.
In a recent interview with WaPo, Rev. Pierre Raï at St. George’s Church in southern Lebanon said: “If the village is empty and anyone can come and go, then it will be even more dangerous for our homes. It’s better if we stay here and protect our home or land. Even if we don’t have weapons, we will protect it with our presence.”
Noting a lack of support among southern Lebanese Christians for Hezbollah, WaPo reported: “Rev. Phillipe Al Akla, an Orthodox priest in Jdeidet Marjayoun, less than three miles from Qlaaya, said a Hezbollah member fired several rounds at him this month after he barred him from sheltering at his church. He escaped unharmed and the man was detained, he said, but a parishioner who witnessed it said one bullet whizzed past his ear.”
Christians are not alone in refusing to support Hezbollah: Druze and Sunni Muslims have also shown a lack of support for the terror group, WaPo added.
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