Over the past weekend, Lebanon has witnessed a worrying increase in violent incidents, adding to a pattern of escalating security issues in recent weeks. From attempted murders to killings over trivial disputes and a wave of robberies, these incidents are stoking an atmosphere of fear and tension across the country.
Attempted Murder of Priest Elie Joseph Bachaalani
On Sunday morning, gunshots were fired at the vehicle of Father Elie Joseph Bachaalani as he was returning to his home in Mreijat, Beqaa, from Beirut.
In his statement to the Chtaura police, the priest reported that a black Jeep Cherokee with tinted windows and an unknown license plate had been following him all the way to his home. After arriving at around 6:20 AM, the vehicle fled, but an hour later, it returned. A man got out and opened fire on the priest’s car, hitting both the vehicle and a nearby building.
Later that evening, Jihad al-Qattan, a Syrian national, was arrested by the Interior Security Forces' Intelligence Directorate. He is accused of firing an automatic weapon at the priest’s home. Both the car and the weapon were seized, and an investigation was launched under the supervision of the Beqaa Public Prosecutor.
Murder in Faraya Over a Road Rage Dispute
On the same morning, the town of Faraya was rocked by a tragic incident in which 18-year-old Khalil Khalil lost his life following a dispute over right-of-way on the road.
Reports indicate that after a confrontation over driving, Jonathan Chamoun pursued Khalil to the hotel where his family was staying in Faraya. When Khalil’s sister noticed a suspicious vehicle outside, she was horrified to find her brother’s body lying on the ground. Chamoun reportedly told her, "That'll teach him not to cut me off."
Outraged by the crime, local residents blocked the Faraya road by setting tires on fire, demanding the extradition of the murderers. The Lebanese Army and security forces quickly intervened and secured the area.
On Sunday evening, the Lebanese Army announced the arrest of two individuals, identified as (J. Ch.) and (R. S.), in Aiyat, Akkar. They are accused, along with others, of being involved in the fatal assault on Khalil Khalil in Faraya on the night of February 1-2. The investigation is ongoing, and further suspects are being interrogated under the supervision of the relevant prosecutor.
Assassination of Archimandrite Anania Kojanian
These incidents come on the heels of the assassination of Archimandrite Anania Kojanian, the Episcopal Vicar of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon. Kojanian, 40, was found dead in his home in Bsalim, Metn, and it is believed to have been a targeted killing.
Wave of Thefts
In addition to these violent incidents, numerous thefts have been reported across the country. In Kaslik, a woman was violently robbed of her purse, while in Achrafieh, Beirut’s bustling central district, residents endured a particularly distressing week, with nearly a dozen thefts targeting businesses and individuals.
As insecurity continues to spread, questions about the state’s ability to protect its citizens remain unanswered. The frequency of these incidents points to deeper issues and an alarming lack of concrete action from authorities to address the growing sense of lawlessness.
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