South Lebanon – In recent months, the southern and eastern regions of Lebanon have become a near-constant stage for Israeli airstrikes. From the hills of Khardali, through the highlands of Iqlim al-Tuffah, to the outskirts of West Bekaa, the strikes recur, accompanied by a consistent Israeli narrative, suggesting a calculated escalation rather than a response to immediate field developments.
Zahraa Radi, a resident of Houla, told DZWatch that the fear stems not from the potential outbreak of a new war, but from the anxiety of losing their homeland. “For the people here, the land is not just a geographical space, but a memory and a collective identity passed down through generations, and a symbol of resilience over decades.” She added, “Despite the pressures and losses, we remain ready to stand united in defense of our land and prevent any attempt to impose a new reality by force.”
The sentiment is similar in the border town of Markaba. Fatima Shoeib believes the greatest concern lies in the potential loss of memories lived by their parents and grandparents. She emphasized to DZWatch that, “For the people of Markaba, the land is not only a source of livelihood but an extension of their identity and belonging. Despite the continuous raids and pressures, we prefer to stay here and not be displaced again, even if it means spending our last day on it.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues to justify its raids by claiming to target “training and rehabilitation complexes” belonging to Hezbollah’s Radwan Force. This narrative remains largely unchanged and is accompanied by a noticeable increase in threatening rhetoric accusing Hezbollah of attempting to rebuild its military capabilities.
This escalation comes ahead of the anticipated meeting of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group next week, amid growing doubts about its ability to curb the escalation or prevent it from sliding into a broader confrontation. This escalation coincides with leaks reported by the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, stating that the Israeli army has completed the preparation of a large-scale attack plan targeting Hezbollah positions in recent weeks. Its implementation remains conditional on the failure of the Lebanese government and army to disarm the party before the end of.
