The paradisiacal Mediterranean village caught in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, where only 100 inhabitants remain.

The paradisiacal Mediterranean village amidst the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah where only 100 inhabitants remain The quiet and picturesque village of Alma al-Shaab, located in southern Lebanon, has been caught in a spiral of violence and destruction amidst the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. With a population that used to be around 900 people, currently only about 100 inhabitants remain in the village, as reported by local authorities. Since last October, Alma al-Shaab has been the scene of cross-border clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, leading to the fleeing of at least 800 residents in search of safety in other areas. Those who remain in the village face constant danger, with attacks that have left a trail of destruction in their community. The situation in Alma al-Shaab is heartbreaking, with reports of at least 188 attacks by Israeli forces until the end of May, according to data from the Beirut Urban Lab. The consequences of these bombings have been devastating, with destroyed houses, agricultural and forest lands burnt, and much of the local infrastructure damaged. The images of the natural beauty of this region contrast with the anguish and suffering of its inhabitants, who are trapped in a conflict they did not choose. Alma al-Shaab, known for being one of the few Christian villages in a predominantly Shiite Muslim region, has witnessed episodes of violence throughout its history, but nothing compares to the intensity of the recent attacks. Residents of Alma al-Shaab, like Maria Shaya, have experienced firsthand the impact of war on their daily lives. Maria describes a childhood marked by fear and violence, with vivid memories of attacks and explosions that led her to leave her home to study in Beirut. Returning to her hometown has become an almost impossible task, with uncertainty and danger lurking around every corner. The situation in Alma al-Shaab reflects the complexity and tragedy of a conflict that has affected both Lebanese and Israelis, with devastating consequences for both sides. Indiscriminate attacks have resulted in a toll of civilians dead, injured, and displaced, plunging the region into an endless cycle of violence and suffering. For the inhabitants of Alma al-Shaab, the uncertainty about their future and that of their village is overwhelming. Many cling to their roots and their land, resisting the temptation to leave their homes despite the constant danger. However, the reality of war and destruction presents them with a moral dilemma: to stay in a place marked by conflict or to risk becoming displaced, like so many others in the region. As violence continues on the border between Israel and Lebanon, the international community watches with concern the escalation of a conflict that threatens to worsen even further. The humanitarian consequences of this crisis are devastating, with thousands of people affected by violence and destruction on both sides of the border. Amidst the tragedy and uncertainty, the inhabitants of Alma al-Shaab hold on to hope for a better future, where peace and stability allow them to return to their homes and rebuild their lives. Meanwhile, the international community urges an immediate cessation of hostilities and the pursuit of a negotiated solution to end the suffering of civilians trapped in the midst of the conflict.