Lebanese security forces members check on displaced people who set up makeshift shelters on Beirut’s seaside promenade in order to relocate them on October 10, 2024. (AFP)
Marjayoun, a majority Christian town in southern Lebanon, recently opened its doors to scores of people fleeing Israel’s bombardment of Muslim villages, bridging sectarian divides. Though some residents were initially apprehensive, they chose to uphold local values of neighborliness as those displaced had nowhere else to go. The town had previously been spared direct attacks from Israel, but the war soon reached its doorstep.
As tensions escalated, conflicts arose within Marjayoun when displaced individuals faced resistance from locals, leading to a decline in the town’s welcoming atmosphere. The influx of refugees from Israeli strikes in Shi’ite areas has exacerbated existing sectarian tensions in Lebanon, posing a threat to the nation’s stability.
The displacement crisis also poses a challenge for Hezbollah, which has traditionally provided for its community but now faces a strain on resources amidst a near-bankrupt state. With memories of the civil war resurfacing, Lebanon faces a fragile situation, with the potential for further conflict looming.
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