Lebanese Christians transformed their Easter Sunday celebrations into prayers of solidarity for villages trapped in the crossfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Churches across the country dedicated their services to residents who remain cut off from aid and basic supplies.
At St. Antoine Church in Beirut's Jdeideh suburb, worshippers packed the sanctuary while others stood outside. Placards bearing the names of besieged Christian villages — Ain Ebel, Rmeich, and Debl — surrounded the altar as hymn singers competed with the roar of Israeli fighter jets overhead.
This year's celebrations were dedicated to people in the south. It is not only Christian villages suffering in this war. Muslim villages too... we stand with all the people of the south who were forced to flee their homes.
Jenny Yazbek al-Jamal, Parish Choir Leader — The New Arab
The 55-year-old choir leader, who has family in the affected region, described the constant presence of military aircraft disrupting religious observances. Israeli jets have continued bombing runs over Beirut's southern suburbs even during Christian holy days.
Several Christian border villages find themselves in an impossible position. Residents have refused Israeli evacuation orders, insisting the conflict is not their war, yet Lebanese troops have withdrawn from multiple border positions, leaving civilians feeling abandoned.
The Israeli outlet focuses on the religious observance aspect while acknowledging the humanitarian impact. Their framing emphasizes the complexity of civilian populations caught in conflict zones without taking sides on military operations.