The Hope of a Ceasefire in Lebanon

The Hope of a Ceasefire in Lebanon

A ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has been announced after weeks of war. Lebanon did not initiate this conflict, yet it has absorbed a large share of its consequences. More than 2,000 people have been killed, and between 1.1 and 1.2 million have been displaced. In a country of roughly 5.8 million people, this has affected a significant part of the population.

In recent days, reports of a possible ceasefire had circulated in Lebanon. Its confirmation brings a pause after a period of sustained bombardment. The last week was among the most intense of the war, and in the hours before the ceasefire took effect, strikes increased across several regions.

The agreement remains limited. It is temporary and does not resolve the underlying issues. Israeli forces are expected to remain in parts of southern Lebanon during this phase. The terms allow continued action under what is described as self-defense, which leaves room for incidents that could affect the stability of the ceasefire. Lebanese officials have already warned against violations, while on the ground, the situation remains tense.

The Situation in South Lebanon

South Lebanon has sustained extensive damage. Many villages have been heavily affected, and some areas have been almost entirely destroyed. Roads, homes, and local infrastructure have been damaged or rendered unusable.

Following the ceasefire, some families have begun returning to their villages. Many are finding homes reduced to ruins and services either damaged or absent. Access to electricity, water, and healthcare remains uneven, and movement is still affected by security conditions.

During his visit to Jezzine, Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai referred directly to what he had seen on the road. He described displaced families returning “carrying their mattresses on their shoulders,” going back to their homes and land despite the destruction. He said that this scene “breaks the heart,” because people are returning to what has been damaged or lost. At the same time, he said it reflects a deep attachment to the land and a refusal to abandon it.

The presence of military forces in parts of the south continues to shape daily life. The ceasefire has reduced the level of violence, but it has not established stable conditions. Civilian life remains constrained by uncertainty and by limited access to essential needs.

The Christian Villages of the South

Several Christian villages near the southern border remain inhabited, including Rmeich, Ain Ebel, Debel, Qlayaa, and Marjayoun. Despite evacuation orders and nearby fighting, residents have stayed in place.

These villages have been less directly damaged than some surrounding areas, but they are affected by isolation. Access roads are not always reliable, and supplies depend on deliveries that can be delayed or interrupted.

Local clergy have spoken about these conditions in direct terms. In Debel, a priest reported that essential medicines such as insulin were no longer available and that even drinking water had become difficult to secure. In other villages, efforts to deliver aid have faced delays or interruptions due to security conditions.

Daily life in these villages depends on what can be brought in. The ceasefire has not yet changed this reality in a clear way. The absence of a stable security framework continues to affect access and daily life.

Aid and Support

Humanitarian assistance continues to reach parts of the south, although access remains uneven. Deliveries include food, fuel, and medical supplies, but conditions on the ground can delay or prevent their arrival.

The United Nations remains active in providing support across Lebanon. The Order of Malta also plays an important role in the south through its healthcare and social services network. Its presence allows for sustained contact with communities that remain in place.

During a recent meeting with local representatives from southern villages, the Order of Malta reaffirmed its commitment to remain present and to continue supporting these communities. Its work includes healthcare services, medical support, and assistance adapted to local needs.

All the help being sent through this initiative will go through the Order of Malta. This provides a structured channel for distribution and allows assistance to reach villages that remain inhabited.

Remaining on the Land

The question of staying or leaving remains central. When families leave their villages under pressure, return is uncertain.

Lebanon has already experienced a decline in its Christian population over several decades, largely due to emigration linked to conflict and economic conditions. At independence in 1943, Christians formed a majority of the population. Today they represent a smaller share.

The continuation of village life in the south is part of this broader context. During his visit, Patriarch Rai stated that “the land is our identity,” and that man cannot live separated from it. He presented the land not only as a place of residence, but as part of a person’s existence and belonging.

He also referred to the broader situation of the Lebanese people, saying that despite repeated crises, they continue to rise again, as if “a hidden hand lifts them up.” He attributed this resilience to faith and to deep roots in the land.

A Call for Peace

During his visit to Jezzine, Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai recalled the words of Christ from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew:

“I am with you always, to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

He presented this as a concrete promise. It means that man is not left alone in suffering, and that Christ remains present even in moments of war and uncertainty.

Referring again to the situation on the ground, he spoke about the return of displaced families and described it as both painful and meaningful. He then addressed the question of war in direct terms, asking:

“Why war? Has any war ever achieved anything?”

He answered that every war is a loss. According to him, even those who appear to win lose, because war “destroys the human person before it destroys the stone,” and replaces trust with hostility. He added that “war does not build a future; it destroys the present and steals the tomorrow.”

He also spoke about the fatigue of the Lebanese people, saying they are tired of “killing, destruction, and seeing their youth leave.” He pointed out that “a single bomb can destroy what was built over many years.”

He rejected the idea that war reflects strength. He said clearly that “true strength is in reason, in wisdom, and in the ability to engage in dialogue,” and added:

“It is a shame for us not to negotiate.”

He explained that dialogue preserves dignity when it takes place “from one equal to another,” and that it remains the only way to reach a stable outcome.

He returned to the Christian message itself, stating that God did not approach humanity through violence, but through dialogue. Christ came to bring love rather than violence, and forgiveness rather than revenge. From this, he concluded that the Christian mission remains a mission of peace.

He also described Lebanon as a country shaped by coexistence, recalling the words of Pope John Paul II that Lebanon is “more than a country, it is a message.” He said this message must be preserved through peace.

In Kfarfalous, he connected this message to daily life. He stated that returning to the land is a path of restoration, and a project supporting one thousand farmers in the Jezzine region was launched during this visit.

He concluded with a call for the ceasefire to continue and lead to lasting peace, stating that “peace is the greatness of man, while war is his weakness.”

Current Outlook

The ceasefire provides a pause in the fighting. It allows some movement to resume and opens the possibility for further discussions. At the same time, conditions on the ground remain uncertain.

In South Lebanon, and particularly in the villages near the border, daily life continues under constraints. Access to basic needs, security conditions, and the ability to remain in place will depend on how the situation develops in the coming days.

The immediate priority remains to maintain access to these communities, support those who have remained, and ensure that assistance continues to reach them.