By Gloria Ogbonna
As fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah continues to intensify, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Paolo Borgia traveled once again to southeastern Lebanon on Monday, visiting several communities whose residents have chosen to remain in their homes despite ongoing military operations and repeated evacuation warnings.
Borgia, who serves as the Vatican’s representative in Lebanon, has made multiple trips to the conflict-affected region since hostilities erupted after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel from Lebanese territory. His visits have focused on offering humanitarian support, spiritual encouragement, and solidarity to residents caught in the crossfire of a conflict that has displaced thousands of people across Lebanon.
The archbishop has consistently emphasized that his mission extends to all communities suffering from the war, regardless of their religious background.
“The war has severe consequences for villages — whether Christian, mixed, or Muslim. Many people have been forced to leave their homes,” Borgia said during a previous visit to the region earlier this year.
During another tour in April, he highlighted the growing humanitarian crisis unfolding throughout Lebanon, particularly in Beirut, where large numbers of displaced families have sought refuge.
“There is much suffering in the Beirut area with all the displaced people, especially Shiites, who are in a very difficult situation. Many Christians are also displaced in Beirut or in the north,” he explained.
Borgia noted that beyond the immediate dangers of war, residents face devastating economic hardships as businesses close, farms are abandoned, and local economies grind to a halt.
“It is certainly hard because they leave everything behind, and there is also a major economic problem, as activities cease when villages in the south are abandoned,” he said.
The Vatican envoy stressed the importance of maintaining a visible presence among those affected by the conflict, saying many residents feel isolated and forgotten.
“They feel they are carrying a burden alone. That is why we go to visit them: they must feel the presence of the universal and Lebanese Church, especially the presence of the Holy Father, as well as many people of goodwill who help and support those living through these tragedies,” Borgia stated.
As part of his latest visit, the archbishop delivered humanitarian aid to local communities. The supplies were provided through charitable organizations, including Caritas-Lebanon, whose president, Father Samir Ghaoui, accompanied him during the mission.
Community leaders described the aid deliveries as essential for survival. Many villages in southern Lebanon have become increasingly isolated due to the conflict, limiting access to food, medicine, and other basic necessities.
Local farmers also voiced growing concerns about their future livelihoods. Many fear that ongoing security threats will prevent them from tending their fields during the upcoming harvest season, potentially wiping out a critical source of income for communities already struggling with poverty and displacement.
Meanwhile, the military situation continues to deteriorate.
Israeli forces have maintained evacuation orders for numerous areas across southern Lebanon, urging civilians to leave regions where Hezbollah is believed to be operating. Despite these warnings, some residents have refused to evacuate, insisting on remaining in their ancestral homes. Reports indicate that both civilians and members of the Lebanese Armed Forces have been affected by Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military released photographs showing what it described as a significant Hezbollah weapons cache discovered inside a civilian residence in the village of Zawtar Sharqieh, located north of the Litani River.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), troops uncovered a large quantity of military equipment, including assault rifles, anti-tank missiles, rocket launchers, ammunition magazines, grenades, communication systems, drones, and other combat materials.
Israeli officials cited the discovery as further evidence of Hezbollah’s alleged practice of storing military assets within civilian infrastructure, placing local populations at risk during military operations. The IDF said similar weapons depots have been discovered in civilian buildings throughout Zawtar Sharqieh and neighboring towns in recent days.
Tensions escalated further Monday night when a suspected Hezbollah operative reportedly crossed from Lebanon into northern Israel and opened fire on Israeli soldiers. Israeli troops returned fire, killing the attacker.
Following the incident, local Israeli community leader David Azoulay argued that the infiltration demonstrated the continued security challenges facing northern Israel despite years of military operations.
“This is further proof that there is no security even after almost three years of war in the north,” Azoulay said. He called on Israeli authorities to respond forcefully and ensure such incidents do not become routine.
The conflict widened again Tuesday when Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes against targets in the major Lebanese coastal city of Tyre. Before the strikes, Israeli authorities issued evacuation warnings covering large portions of the city, including the historic Christian quarter of the Old City, an area previously exempt from evacuation notices.
Israeli officials said intelligence suggested Hezbollah operatives were using locations within the Christian district because they believed the area would be less likely to come under attack.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that airstrikes carried out before the evacuation order resulted in at least eight deaths and left 32 others injured.
Despite the growing danger, church leaders in Tyre vowed to remain with their congregations.
Georges Iskandar, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tyre for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, declared that both the church and many local residents would stay in the city despite the evacuation warnings.
“We will not leave this city, which was blessed by the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and which throughout history has borne witness to faith and resilience,” Iskandar said.
Amid the escalating violence, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun renewed calls for diplomacy and urged Israel to pursue a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s government.
Speaking during an interview with CNN, Aoun argued that military action alone would not bring lasting security to northern Israel.
“We are ready, we want this, we are committed. Are you? If so, let’s sit and talk,” he said.
The Lebanese president emphasized that his immediate goal is a cessation of hostilities rather than a comprehensive peace agreement. He suggested that broader regional issues, including Palestinian statehood and territorial disputes, would need to be addressed before full normalization between Lebanon and Israel could become possible.
“We need to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel. Forever. And this could be a path forward for a just and lasting peace,” Aoun said. “But we cannot jump from A to B directly. We have to go through different steps.”
However, significant obstacles remain. Israel has long argued that the Lebanese government has failed to disarm Hezbollah or prevent the group from launching attacks across the border. Previous conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly ended with commitments to limit the group’s military activities, commitments that critics say were never fully implemented.
Aoun’s willingness to engage directly with Israel has also generated criticism from Hezbollah and its political allies, particularly after he publicly complained that Lebanon had been drawn into a war it did not seek because of decisions made by Hezbollah and its Iranian backers.
At the same time, analysts warn that Hezbollah may be facing increasing domestic opposition.
In comments published by The Wall Street Journal, Beirut-based Sunni Muslim cleric Imad Sobh expressed concern that the prolonged conflict is fueling sectarian divisions throughout Lebanon.
“This war is much different than the war in 2024,” Sobh said. “Now there are grudges, divisions, discrimination on sectarian lines.”
He revealed that some Sunnis have begun expressing support for Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, a sentiment he described as unprecedented and deeply troubling.
“I have even heard some Sunnis say that they are supportive of Israel’s war against Hezbollah, its supporters and Shias at large,” Sobh said. “I have never heard such things from Sunnis before. I am trying to tamp down these sentiments and bring people together.”
As the war drags on, humanitarian concerns continue to mount, political tensions deepen, and fears grow that the conflict could further destabilize Lebanon, a country already struggling with economic collapse, political division, and the burden of mass displacement.
Sourcr Breitbart
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