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Lebanon Unites in Crisis Against Western Attempts at Division

Shortly after the Israeli regime’s mass casualty terror attacks in Beirut on Sept. 17 and Sept. 18, killing over 35 and injuring thousands, the Lebanese people rushed to donate blood and save lives. 

Civilians were seen transporting the injured to hospitals in their own vehicles. Political and sectarian differences no longer mattered as the world watched the Lebanese people unite in the face of adversity.

Israel’s attacks, however, only intensified across Lebanon. On Sept. 23, the Israeli army targeted civilian areas with airstrikes that lasted for 12 hours and killed close to 600 people, including women, children, and medics. 

Thousands Displaced from the South

Aya N., a resident in South Lebanon, was forced to leave her home following Israel’s bombardment of the region. She recalls how the people united against all odds by helping one another – irrespective of sectarian and political differences.

“People in Christian and Sunni areas were offering their homes to the displaced from south Lebanon for free, and some were even leaving their homes to give space to the ones seeking refuge,’’ she explained.

Aya mentioned that many cars overheated and broke down while leaving the South. 

“Residents who were forcibly displaced following Israel’s carpet bombing across southern Lebanon were trapped in their cars for hours on end. Routes that were at a distance of two hours took almost 20 hours to reach,” she said.

Witnessing the dire situation, residents of various towns along the way offered to drop the displaced to their destinations or accommodate them in their own homes.

Others were seen raising banners of encouragement and victory to the displaced.

Youth organizations across the region held fundraisers to provide the displaced with diapers and sanitary pads. Medics offered free services for the elderly and those in need, while restaurants served food for free. Caregivers volunteered to serve those in need with no charge. 

Churches opened their doors to shelter thousands of displaced civilians, regardless of their religion or background. Sunni scholars were seen handing out free meals to the displaced who were driving up from the South. 

The Spirit of Unity

Aya explained that much of the Lebanese people’s united stance during this time was inspired by a leader they looked up to. 

“After the deadly pager attack, the late Lebanese resistance leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah delivered a speech where he mentioned how he hopes the Lebanese people hold on to the sense of unity that was presented during the time of distress during the pager attack,” she said.

Notably, Lebanon is still slowly reeling from the devastating economic crises and skyrocketing inflation that hit the country in 2020. People continue to struggle from financial strain – but still choose to assist the displaced despite their own difficulties.

Despite numerous attempts by Israel and its Western allies to fuel sectarianism and division within the population, the unity displayed by the Lebanese during recent intensified attacks proved the opposite. 

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Author

  • Zamena Manekia Manji

    Zamena Manekia Manji is a breaking news writer for TMJ News with experience of over 10 years in the field. Her areas of focus are important breaking stories in North America specifically untold stories from a minority lens.

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