LEBANON: The People’s Reaction to the War.

At diaLOGOS (www.dialogos.co.za) and The Third Way, we are grateful to have friends, partners, and co-workers in regions that are impacted by the current conflict in Gaza.  One of our partners currently serving as a diaLOGOS field journalist in Lebanon, wrote the following report:

LEBANON – Diverse in culture, unified by trauma.

Lebanon, a country rich in cultural and religious diversity, is no stranger to differing opinions and biases, especially when it comes to political and religious standpoints. With over 18 distinct religious groups coexisting, Lebanon stands as one of the most religiously diverse nations in the Middle East. The country’s leadership structure reflects this diversity, with a Maronite Christian serving as President, a Sunni Muslim as Prime Minister, and a Shia Muslim as Speaker of Parliament. Additionally, Lebanon is home to millions of refugees from Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Sudan, and other countries, adding to its complex societal fabric.

Despite these differences, all these groups share a common struggle: surviving in a country grappling with one of the worst financial crises of the last century. The Lebanese Lira has lost 98% of its value over the past four years, leading to skyrocketing inflation and unprecedented price increases. To put this into perspective, a shawarma and a Pepsi, which cost LL 2,500 in 2018, now cost LL 600,000—a staggering 24,000% increase.

This shared economic hardship has fostered a unique sense of solidarity among the people, transcending their religious and national identities. A phenomenon known as “trauma bonding” has emerged, where people, united by their collective suffering, find a sense of companionship and understanding in each other.

The ongoing conflict with Israel, which began on October 7, 2023, has further tested this resilience. In these 10 months, thousands of rockets and drones have been exchanged between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Having lived in Lebanon for eight of these ten months, I have witnessed firsthand how the locals respond to the ever-present danger.

The first time a significant explosion occurred in our region, it was around midnight. I woke up the next morning to tens of messages and missed calls. It was Sunday, and many people chose not to attend church due to the uncertainty. My friends couldn’t believe I had slept through the excitement—rockets were visible in the sky, and explosions had echoed throughout the night.

The second time, I had just arrived home around 9:30 PM and was outside when I heard two loud booms. Everything shook, and the sound was deafening. My landlord and I ran to the roof to see what had happened. On our way up the stairs, we heard two more booms—sonic booms, a method of psychological warfare.

In the days following these events, I spoke with many people, each with their own perspective on the conflict. Some say, “We will not have a war; the governments are just playing games.” Others argue, “We already have war. Just look at the south and the assassinations in Lebanon. We have been at war since October.” There are also those who take a more rational view, stating, “The war is between Hezbollah and the IDF. The Lebanese people don’t want war, and Israel will not attack Lebanon, only Hezbollah.”

So far, this last statement seems to hold some truth. Not a week goes by without multiple audible explosions around us. And, as unbelievable as it may sound, the people seem to be becoming slightly desensitized. There is still the constant uncertainty of “Where will they bomb next?” but life goes on. Weddings are celebrated daily, children attend school, and music festivals continue. I even saw a clip of kids playing in a pool while rockets flew in the distance.

In conclusion, despite the diversity of backgrounds and beliefs in Lebanon, there are three things everyone shares: the struggles of daily life, the consensus that the country cannot afford a full-scale war, and the determination to continue daily life in good spirits, even amidst impending danger.

I’ll end with a story that illustrates this resilience. One evening, I was visiting my friends Haysam, Wafaa and Vera. We were on the veranda around midnight when a massive explosion shook the area. For a few seconds, we were in shock, anticipating what might happen next. Then, filled with adrenaline, Haysam and I ran to the roof. Just then, his friend called and said, “Habibi, that was a big one! Come and drink coffee.” So, we went to have coffee and a chat with his friend at half past midnight, right after a massive attack.

The people of Lebanon understand that life is in God’s hands. Every day we live is a gift from Him. While we mourn those who lose their lives in this war, we also celebrate the blessing of another day.