Hezbollah support endures in south Lebanon as ceasefire fails to stop war with Israel

Hezbollah support endures in south Lebanon – Last Saturday, a sudden Israeli air strike at midday obliterated a structure in Saksakiyeh, a southern Lebanese town, where a family seeking refuge from the conflict had taken shelter. The attack left nine individuals dead, including a woman in her 70s, her son and daughter-in-law, another son, and four grandchildren. Among the casualties was a two-year-old great-granddaughter. The Israeli military stated it targeted Hezbollah members operating from a building used for military purposes, asserting they posed an “urgent threat.” Details of the incident were not disclosed. Survivors described the destruction as overwhelming, with rescuers already completing their efforts when the author arrived at the scene.

A Resilient Community in Arab Salim

Arab Salim, a village nestled in narrow alleys surrounded by verdant hills, has become a symbol of resistance. Posters adorning walls and lamp posts commemorate fighters who fell in battle, reflecting the community’s unwavering loyalty to Hezbollah. The village’s pre-war population of roughly 6,000 has dwindled to a tenth, with most residents either evacuated or too fearful to return. The author’s visit coincided with a coordinated effort with Hezbollah’s media office, though the group did not hinder the reporting process.

During the journey, the author observed the aftermath of an Israeli strike that had damaged a pickup truck hours prior. An Israeli drone hovered overhead continuously, while distant explosions occasionally signaled the presence of fighter jets. Life in the region seemed suspended in time, with the main street still adorned for Ramadan and nearly every house appearing vacant. The quiet was not serene; it was tense, as if awaiting the next wave of violence.

The Unyielding Conflict

Despite a ceasefire announced last month, the war between Israel and Hezbollah continues unabated. In southern Lebanon, Israeli attacks occur without warning, day and night. Residents were advised to leave as the sun set, with one explaining,

“That’s when things get active in the sky.”

The militia, backed by Iran, remains a central force in the region, launching rockets and drones at northern Israel and engaging Israeli troops stationed in Lebanon. Southern Lebanon, the stronghold of the Shia community, has endured relentless bombardment, yet its people continue to back Hezbollah as their primary defender.

Life in Arab Salim is marked by both fear and faith. A 56-year-old man, Hussein Haydar, and his family had remained in their home, despite the destruction nearby. “When we hear bombs, we start laughing around him,” Haydar shared. “He thinks it’s a game when he sees us laughing.” A Hezbollah flag now hangs from the remnants of his grocery store, which was damaged by a strike on the adjacent building last month. Haydar, slightly injured in the attack, emphasized the community’s reliance on Hezbollah. “They’re the only ones keeping us on our land,” he said.

Displacement and Endurance

More than a million Lebanese have been displaced by the war, or about one in five of the population, with the majority fleeing from southern regions, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and the Dahieh district of Beirut. Many still reside in makeshift tents lining streets and squares, their lives upended by repeated violence. In the village of Arab Salim, two elderly cousins—Fatmeh and Dunya—shared their perspective on the ongoing turmoil. “We’ve witnessed many wars,” Fatmeh remarked,

“But we’ve never left. Whatever happens, we thought we’d die in our homes rather than leave.”

Dunya added,

“They’re being humiliated.”

Though the constant drone presence sparked some apprehension, Fatmeh insisted,

“I can’t lie, I get a bit afraid.”

Yet, she quickly regained composure, declaring,

“But then my nerves get steady… We’re counting on God.”

The Legacy of Hezbollah

Hezbollah, or the Party of God in Arabic, was established in the 1980s during Israel’s occupation of Lebanon. It has since evolved into both a militant group and a political entity, deeply rooted in the Shia community. The organization’s leadership, including its late leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed by Israel in 2024, remains a focal point for its supporters. A banner near the village’s mosque honored Nasrallah, underscoring his symbolic importance to the region’s residents.

As the author documented the situation, the Israeli military issued evacuation warnings for three nearby villages. Such alerts often signal impending attacks, yet the people of southern Lebanon show no signs of surrender. The ceasefire, intended to pause hostilities, has failed to quell the violence. Instead, it has intensified, with Hezbollah’s forces continuing to launch strikes and Israeli airpower retaliating with precision.

The relentless nature of the conflict has left deep scars. In Saksakiyeh, a damaged children’s bicycle and a purple teddy bear, dust-covered and partially buried, remained as silent testaments to the human cost. Nearby, a man stood atop the rubble, gazing at the devastation in quiet contemplation. His expression conveyed a mix of grief and determination, a reflection of the broader sentiment in the region. While the war has shattered homes and displaced families, the people of southern Lebanon cling to Hezbollah, viewing it as their last line of defense against Israeli aggression.

The resilience of the community is evident in its refusal to abandon its roots. Even as the bombardment continues, residents remain committed to their land, believing Hezbollah’s presence is essential to their survival. The combination of political and military support has allowed the group to persist in its role as a guardian of the region. However, the toll of repeated strikes is undeniable, with many questioning how long this cycle of violence can endure. For now, the people of southern Lebanon stand firm, their faith in Hezbollah unshaken, even as the skies remain filled with the sounds of war.