Under the shadow of occupation: A Lebanese village living by Israel’s unwritten rules
Israeli forces descended on Mohammad El Hage and his colleague as they funnelled diesel into the generator that powers the water supply to their village, Kfarshouba – one of the few remaining populated villages in south Lebanon . The two men, who work for the Kfarshouba municipality, were handcuffed and made to stand against a wall at gunpoint as Israeli soldiers snatched their phones and…
In the shadow of Israeli occupation, the Lebanese village of Kfarshouba endures a precarious existence dictated by unwritten rules imposed by the foreign occupier. The village, one of the few remaining populated areas in southern Lebanon, relies on a diesel-powered generator to maintain its water supply, a critical necessity in the absence of electricity.
However, Israeli forces have repeatedly obstructed the municipality's attempts to repair the electricity infrastructure, compelling municipal employees to traverse a hazardous route to fetch fuel daily. This perilous journey was recently the site of a harrowing incident where two municipal workers were detained, interrogated, and threatened with violence, highlighting the fragile nature of their daily lives under Israeli control.
The villagers endure this precarious situation not only due to the physical threat of detentions and arrests but also because of the psychological strain imposed by the constant presence of Israeli military personnel. With four military positions overlooking the village and the blurred boundaries of their land, Kfarshouba's residents are left living in a state of perpetual uncertainty about where they are allowed to tread.
This fear was further exacerbated when Israeli forces abducted three day-laborers in May, an act that has left the village on edge and residents living in a constant state of paranoia.
For Imad Saadeldin, a village official and elected official, the threat of Israeli incursions has led him to seek refuge with his family in a relative's house within the village, moving his office away from the perimeter to escape the persistent fear of being targeted. The residents' lives are further complicated by the restrictions on access to their orchards and farms, which Israel has deemed off-limits, leaving them in a constant state of limbo and vulnerability.
The villagers' resilience is evident as they continue to navigate these challenging circumstances, but the heavy toll of occupation is undeniable.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
