A Lebanese Point of View on Lebanon's Involvement in the Israel-Palestine War

In the heart of the Mediterranean, where the cedar trees whisper stories of resilience and the echoes of history are etched into our very soil, I stand as a Lebanese, bearing witness to the horrifying events that unfold in the land of Gaza. Our hearts, heavy with the weight of our own past, ache for our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

We share a profound understanding, one born from the scars of our own past, of a people born in a land of constant struggle and conflict, of what it means to endure the horrors of war, to flee our homes and our country, to take shelter from the relentless shelling, bombing and explosions that tear at the very fabric of our lives.

The horrific explosion in the heart of Beirut's port left deep wounds in our society. The scars, both physical and psychological, run deep, manifesting as traumas, nightmares and the constant fear that another catastrophe could befall us. We struggle daily, not only to rebuild our country but also to mend the fractured souls of our people.

Lebanon, a land blessed with natural beauty and enduring spirit, continues to struggle. Our country bears the heavy burden of economic instability, a burden that has only deepened over the years. The scars of our past wars still linger; the 2006 conflict with Israel left our infrastructure in ruins, setting us back decades.

Today we stand with our Palestinian neighbours, hearts intertwined in empathy and compassion, fully aware of the suffering you endure. We see you, we understand you, and we feel with you. But we must also convey a sombre truth: as much as we would love to help and support, Lebanon is not in a position to endure yet another war and destruction. Our economic resources are depleted, our people are struggling to survive. We are not equipped with the technology and military strength that Israel possesses, and we cannot bear the weight of another conflict.

As I see the horrifying images of the war in Gaza, as I talk about this massacre with my Lebanese friends, our hearts become heavy with fear, our eyes fill with tears, flashbacks and traumas resurface. We find ourselves living in dread, knowing that decisions made at higher levels may once again plunge us into the abyss of war, without consultation or consideration of our plight. Just like our Palestinian brothers and sisters, we are a people whose voice is unheard by “our” leaders and their bosses.

Our plea is simple but resolute: we cannot afford another war. We have seen too much suffering, too much devastation. Enough is enough.

We pray to Allah, Jesus, Mary and Saint Charbel to shield Lebanon and bring an end to the genocide in our beloved Palestine. In this world of injustice, we pray for our Palestinian brothers and sisters to survive the atrocities they are going through, and to get their basic rights of living in their homeland. We dare to dream and long for a time when our region can find lasting peace, when the echoes of war are replaced by the harmonious melodies of coexistence and unity.

However, are we even allowed to dream?