Name: Conflict casts shadow over Christmas in Lebanon
Uploaded: 2025-12-24T00:05:00.732Z
Duration: 3 min 35 s
Description: With Israel continuing to strike what it calls Hezbollah targets and the militant group refusing to disarm, Christians in many villages are preparing again to celebrate the holidays in a very unsettling atmosphere.

With Israel continuing to strike what it calls Hezbollah targets and the militant group refusing to disarm, Christians in many villages are preparing again to celebrate the holidays in a very unsettling atmosphere.

Yaroun

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Middle East Conflict

In southern Lebanon, villages near the Israeli border are experiencing sharply different Christmas seasons due to the ongoing conflict. In Yaroun, both Muslim and Christian residents face widespread destruction, with many homes and the local church in ruins, and families struggling to celebrate amid displacement and loss. 

In contrast, the nearby Christian village of Ramesh has remained undamaged, with residents able to prepare for the holiday as usual. The difference is attributed to the absence of Hezbollah members in Ramesh, which villagers say kept their community safe. Both communities express sorrow for those affected and hope for solidarity and security.

Conflict casts shadow over Christmas in Lebanon

We are driving into the red zone, Lebanon's south, towards the border with Israel. It's dangerous because Israeli operations are ongoing and journalists need permission from the Lebanese army to come here. Most of the villages are badly damaged. Many people are still displaced, their lives on pause. We arrive in Yaroum, a Muslim-majority village near the Israeli border, which dozens of Christian families call home too. Much of the village is in ruins, so too the local church. For the first time in two years, a few Christians are trying to celebrate Christmas here. Among them is Rony Hourani, who chose to return home with his family this year. We are trying to celebrate the holidays, but the homes of many people here are in ruins. They're laughing, but their smiles aren't real. They look around and see their homes destroyed. How can they be happy? He tells me his village was hit several times during the Israeli-Hezbollah war, but suffered the most damage after the ceasefire came into effect. Under that truce deal, Israeli troops and Hezbollah were given 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon. That's when Rony says Israeli forces did the most damage. These houses here were all still standing. Then in those 60 days there was bombing and houses were bulldozed. Why did that happen? No one knows. The church was blown up when the surrounding houses were destroyed. Rony says hundreds of homes were wrecked as Israel targeted Hezbollah fighters and moved to destroy weapons depots in southern Lebanon. It was a similar story in other villages, but not in all. It only takes about 10 minutes to drive between Yaroun and Ramesh. In Ramesh, all the people are Christian, which means it's had a very different experience. Unlike nearby frontline villages, Ramesh suffered no damage during the fighting at all. The Christmas spirit is very evident here, and life in general appears pretty normal. Some people like Gabi never even left home in the first place. We have Israeli military positions along the border, but there is no fear. People are living normally and are preparing for the holiday as usual. What makes Ramesh different is that no Hezbollah members ever lived here. And Gabi says his village fought hard to ensure no militants ever got in. It's what makes Gabi feel safe in his home, but he feels for his compatriots who still live in fear. We feel very deep sorrow for Christian and non-Christian villagers, because the truth is so many of these people are innocent. When we see them, tears fill our eyes and think how heartbreaking it is that these villagers are being destroyed, and we are left with one question, why? Back in Yaron, Rony Hourani echoes Gabi's sentiment. This Christmas, he wishes for continuing solidarity between Christians and Muslims. And security for all.

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Conflict casts shadow over Christmas in Lebanon

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