As Israeli bombardments intensify over southern Lebanon, a historic Hezbollah stronghold, hundreds of families are fleeing the violence toward Syria. Dozens of families, primarily from Hezbollah-controlled regions, have crossed the Syrian border, seeking refuge in rural areas of the Homs province. This population movement is a direct response to the escalating conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Shia movement, which has ravaged southern Lebanon.
Reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicate that groups of cars from towns such as Nabboul and Zahraa have transported families of Hezbollah fighters to Syria. Upon arrival, these families were received by local committees linked to Hezbollah, who took steps to provide them with housing and essential supplies. These committees are working to house the refugees in requisitioned homes, ensuring their safety from Israeli airstrikes.
However, the reception of these refugees has not been without tension. Populations from the regions of Telbisseh and Rastan, who suffered from Hezbollah’s actions during the Syrian conflict, have expressed their refusal to host families associated with the movement. They recall the destruction caused by Hezbollah during its intervention alongside Syrian government forces, which has led to reluctance in accepting them.
The situation along the Syrian border is marked by a massive influx of families seeking refuge, with a significant concentration at the Masnaa border crossing. This passage has become a transit point for those fleeing the bombardments, further exacerbating tensions between Lebanese and Syrian communities.
This exodus highlights the challenges facing Hezbollah, as its presence in Lebanon becomes increasingly controversial, both locally and internationally. The impact of Israeli airstrikes on civilian populations, already strained by years of conflict, is making the situation even more critical.
