Hello Friends,
Many of you have been asking good questions about the Beirut airstrikes making international news. Here is an bit of a longer update explaining the situation. I hope to also post shorter updates more regularly over the next little while.
Check out answers to some of the top questions below.
Photo: Unthinkable levels of destruction in the previously densely-populated Dahyieh suburb of Beirut.
What is happening in Lebanon now?
If you have been following the situation, Hezbollah armed groups in Lebanon have been trading missiles regularly over the last year, supposedly in response to the Israeli Defense Force’s (IDF) mass bombing campaign in Gaza. There were fears of an escalation of cross-border fighting into a much larger war between the armed groups. As of two weeks ago, this may have happened.
On September 17th thousands of pagers and walkie talkies belonging to Hezbollah members simultaneously exploded across the country. Soon after, the frequency and range of IDF airstrikes hitting Lebanon increased immensely. In early September the strikes were mainly contained to near Lebanon’s southern border and the odd strike in the Bekaa or near Tyre or Sidon. Now, in addition to regular bombardment of the border area, the Bekaa valley and Beirut’s southern suburbs are being hit daily.
The Friday before last (September 27) the IDF dropped a daisy chain of over 80, 2000-pound ‘bunker-busting’ bombs on a building in the suburb of Dahiyeh. Bunker bombs are illegal in residential areas, and with good reason. The blast shook the entire city – it flattened 6 residential buildings and killed Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. There were similarly massive strikes Thursday and Saturday night, allegedly aimed at Hezbollah leaders or weapon stores.
There have been ‘limited armed incursions’ by the IDF into Lebanese territory, for what they say is to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure close to the border. It is unclear if the IDF will escalate to a full land invasion.
Targeted areas, including southern villages where some of Khalil’s family is still staying, and large cities like Nabatiyeh, have been instructed by the IDF to evacuate.
Where are the airstrikes hitting in Beirut?
Until now, the airstrikes have been limited to the southern suburbs of Beirut, including Dahiyeh, Jnah, Hadat, and Haret Hreik (see map, outlined in red).
These neighbourhoods are traditionally Shiite areas with a larger percentage of Hezbollah supporters. They are densely populated, especially so since many Syrian refugees moved there during the war.
Now much of Dahiyeh has been emptied and many displaced residents have moved north to neighbourhoods like Hamra and downtown.
Are you safe? What is it like living in Beirut right now?
What’s the impact of the conflict?
What is being done to help?
How can I help?
Like many aid organizations, CBM has started a conflict relief campaign for Lebanon: https://www.cbmin.org/appeal/lebanon-conflict-relief/
At this link you can donate directly to help purchase blankets, food boxes, hygiene kits, diapers and more to be distributed through BBS and our church partners on the ground.
We also encourage you to get in contact with your local MP to advocate for international pressure to end this conflict.
In summary, Khalil and I are doing ok! We are safe and are grateful to be here. That said, the needs are so very great. Please pray for strength, wisdom, and protection for the Lebanese people. And for courage for the local church to act boldly in sharing the tangible love of Christ to people we otherwise may have never reached.
Much love to all of you and our heartfelt thanks for your notes of concern and encouragement.
Salam,
Evie