By Dr WAIEL Awwad
The Israeli unprecedented attack on southern and eastern Lebanon, which began on September 23, 2024, has already claimed the lives of more than 700 people, with over 2,500 injured. The assault has strained Lebanon’s already fragile healthcare system, pushing it beyond its capacity to manage the overwhelming number of casualties. Hospitals in the affected regions have been left struggling to cope with the influx of the wounded, while critical shortages of medical supplies and personnel have compounded the crisis.
In addition to the human toll, the relentless Israeli airstrikes have caused widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure, leading to mass displacement. Thousands of residents from southern and eastern Lebanon have been forced to flee, leaving their homes in the face of the continuous bombardment. The devastation has left entire communities in ruins, deepening the humanitarian crisis in a country already grappling with economic collapse and political instability.
Israel’s Water Interests: A Driving Force
A significant underlying factor behind Israel’s aggression towards Lebanon is its long-standing interest in the country’s water resources. The pursuit of control over the abundant water supplies in southern Lebanon has often been cited as a key motive for Israel’s military actions. By displacing populations in this region, Israel aims to gain greater access to these vital water sources, which further exacerbates the humanitarian situation and violates Lebanon’s sovereignty. This reveals Israel’s true objective: not merely to push Hezbollah away from southern Lebanon to ensure the safety of Israeli settlers in the north, but to vacate entire areas of Lebanese inhabitants to facilitate its control over these critical resources. This mirrors the situation in the occupied Syrian Golan, where approximately 34% of Israel’s water supply comes from, and underscoring Israel’s ongoing strategy to secure water resources at the expense of neighboring populations.
Witnessing the Refugee Crisis: A Personal Reflection
This is not the first time Lebanon has witnessed such devastation. I vividly recall the war in 2006, when waves of refugees from southern Lebanon flooded into neighboring Syria. I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the mass exodus of Lebanese families seeking safety across the Syrian border. What was striking during that time was not only the sheer number of refugees but the remarkable compassion and solidarity displayed by the Syrian people, despite their own economic struggles.
In 2006, Syrians opened their homes to Lebanese refugees, providing them with shelter, food, and warmth. Unlike many modern-day refugee crises, there were no tents. The displaced families were welcomed into Syrian households, where they shared in the subsidized food that the Syrians themselves relied on. Despite the harsh economic conditions that Syrians had been enduring for years, they did not hesitate to give whatever they could. It was a profound demonstration of humanity—communities united by shared history and hardship, offering dignity and care to their neighbours in need.
Now, as Lebanon once again finds itself under siege, I am reminded of that time. The situation may be different, but the human suffering is tragically similar. The region’s people, who have endured war, economic hardship, and political instability, are again facing the horrors of displacement and loss.
The Situation in Gaza and the West Bank
While the focus has intensified on the war in Lebanon, the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank continues unabated. Israeli military operations in these Palestinian territories have led to thousands of civilian casualties, further escalating the already tense situation in the region. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, in particular, is dire, with widespread destruction, blockades preventing access to vital resources, and an ongoing siege that has devastated daily life for Palestinians.
Israel has justified its actions in Gaza as part of its broader strategy to dismantle what it calls “terrorist networks.” However, this has come at an immense cost to civilian lives and infrastructure. Schools, hospitals, and residential areas have been hit, with reports of entire families being wiped out in airstrikes. The international community has called for restraint and a return to peace negotiations, but these calls have been largely ignored by Israeli leadership.
A Region on the Brink
The simultaneous offensives in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank have brought the region to the brink of a larger conflict. Hezbollah’s involvement in the war is seen as a response to Israeli provocations, but it also raises the risk of a broader regional escalation, potentially drawing in other actors from neighbouring countries and beyond.
Lebanon, already struggling under the weight of a severe economic crisis, is ill-equipped to handle this new wave of destruction. The international community has been slow to react, with the UN Security Council largely paralyzed in its response, unable to agree on a unified course of action to halt the violence.
The Humanitarian Toll and International Response
As the violence escalates, the human cost of this war becomes increasingly unbearable. The destruction of critical infrastructure in both Lebanon and Gaza has left millions without access to clean water, electricity, or medical care. Aid organizations are struggling to deliver supplies, and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians has overwhelmed relief efforts.
Global leaders have condemned the ongoing violence, but concrete action has yet to materialize. Efforts to broker a ceasefire have been unsuccessful, and the situation on the ground remains volatile. Many in the international community fear that the longer the conflict continues, the harder it will be to bring both sides to the negotiating table.
Conclusion: A Call for Peace
The current war between Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East. Continued military operations only serve to perpetuate a cycle of violence and devastation, leaving civilians—especially women, children, and the elderly—caught in the crossfire. As the international community grapples with how to respond, the voices calling for peace and coexistence must be amplified.
The world must act swiftly to stop the violence, protect civilians, and work towards a lasting peace based on justice, security, and mutual respect for all peoples in the region. Only through dialogue and diplomacy can this seemingly endless cycle of conflict be broken.
The author is a global journalist and West Asia Strategist
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