Tensions Soar: Alma al-Shaab Caught in Israel-Hezbollah Crossfire

The village of Alma al-Shaab in Lebanon has found itself at the center of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as Israeli rockets continue to rain down on this Mediterranean community, forcing its residents to flee and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. In the aftermath of a Hamas attack on Israel in early October, Hezbollah and its allies responded by launching waves of rockets from Lebanon towards a disputed area along the border, heightening the already volatile situation. Israel retaliated with drone strikes, sparking a cycle of violence that has intensified over the past months. According to data from the Beirut Urban Lab, Alma al-Shaab has been targeted 188 times by Israeli forces by the end of May, with the Israeli army claiming to be aiming at Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. However, some Lebanese officials have accused Israel of employing scorched earth tactics, raising concerns about the impact on civilian populations in the region. While no casualties have been reported in Alma al-Shaab so far, the village has not been spared from the destruction wrought by the conflict. Deputy Mayor William Haddad revealed that 10 houses have been completely destroyed, 120 others damaged, and essential infrastructure like the town's main water tank has been hit. Additionally, over 3,000 acres of agricultural and forest land have been burned, devastating the livelihoods of many residents. The villagers, hesitant to speak openly about the involvement of armed groups in using their land as a launching pad for attacks, hinted at their struggles to prevent fighters from utilizing their community for military purposes. As the violence continues to escalate along the Israel-Lebanon border, the residents of Alma al-Shaab find themselves caught in the crossfire, grappling with the aftermath of relentless airstrikes and the uncertainty of what the future holds for their embattled village.