In southern Lebanon, despite bombs, rockets, and drones, the last residents are not planning to leave their homes. Villages located near the border with Israel have turned into a war zone, but some people remain, unwilling to abandon their homes. One of these villages is Kaoukaba, a small Christian settlement that has become a kind of oasis amidst the ruins.
Life under fire
Kaoukaba, although located in a conflict zone, has so far avoided serious destruction. Most of its inhabitants are Christians, and this village stands out from the Shiite settlements that are constantly under attack. However, even in this relative safety, the fear of war persists. Residents know it’s only a matter of time before the explosions may reach them.
War affects everyone
Local residents are forced to give up their normal lives. Due to the shelling, they cannot harvest olives, which were the main source of income for many families. However, they do not want to flee because they fear they may never be able to return. These feelings are shared by most inhabitants of Christian villages who, despite difficult circumstances, remain loyal to their land.
Marjayoun – a ghost town
A few kilometers south of Kaoukaba is Marjayoun, the main town in the border region. Right now, it’s almost empty – only a few hundred residents remain out of the initial 8000. An atmosphere of fear prevails, and people are reluctant to talk about the situation, fearing new shelling.
Surrounding Shiite villages, such as Hiam, become targets for attacks, and the sounds of explosions constantly remind of the war. The residents of Marjayoun know that sooner or later the war will affect them too, but for now, they hold on.
Historical memory and fear of the future
Many elderly residents of southern Lebanon remember the times of the Israeli occupation in the 1980s when the local Christian militia supported Israel. But after the Israeli forces left the region, Hezbollah took control of the south. Now, as the war returns, people are afraid of losing their homes forever.
Last Stand
Even in such difficult conditions, some residents continue to live, trying to adapt to the new reality. Khouri, a local councilor in Kaoukaba, along with others, tries to sustain life in the village. However, the shortage of diesel and electricity outages make life increasingly harder. Despite this, people remain on their land, believing that they will manage to survive yet another war.
