More than 100 days have already passed since the start of the Israeli offensive in southern Lebanon. It was a response to the actions of Hezbollah – an Iran-backed Shiite political and military organization involved in the conflict between Iran and the United States that has been ongoing since the end of February.
The rapid escalation of fighting led to mass displacement of the population. It is estimated that nearly one million people from the south of the country had to leave their homes. This is precisely where Hezbollah’s main influence is concentrated, and many towns and villages have become areas of active hostilities.
Despite the danger, some residents of Christian towns located near the border with Israel refused to leave their homes. They feared that if they departed, they might never be able to return to their hometowns.
One of these places is Ain Ebel – a Christian town located just seven kilometers from the Lebanese-Israeli border. The ongoing conflict has led to serious problems with access to basic necessities required for daily life: electricity, water, medicines, and other essential supplies.
In response to residents’ requests for assistance, we included Ain Ebel in our “Aid for the Holy Land” project.
Recent days have brought signals of a possible stabilization of the situation in southern Lebanon (as of 16.06.2026). Residents are gradually returning to some towns, but the situation remains unstable. As recently as June 11, a humanitarian convoy organized by the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, heading to Christian towns in the south of the country, was forced to change its route due to armed activity in the border region.
We discuss the situation of the residents of Ain Ebel and the hopes for lasting peace in the homeland of St. Charbel – a country that for years has been struggling with political, economic, and social crises, as well as the consequences of conflicts taking place across the entire Middle East region – with Edgar Barakat and Joseph Atmeh.
Marta Czajka: To begin with, could you please say a few words about yourselves?
Edgar Barakat: I come from Ain Ebel, although I live in Beirut. I am a retired university professor and I work as a volunteer in the crisis cell, supporting our people in their efforts to survive and remain in our village in southern Lebanon.
Joseph Atmeh: I also come from Ain Ebel. I represent the Ain Ebel Youth Club. I currently live and work in Beirut, but my entire childhood is connected to Ain Ebel. Before the war, we used to visit it almost every week. When the war began, I was there together with Edgar (the war broke out on 2 March 2026 – editor’s note). We then left for Beirut and have not been able to return to Ain Ebel since. It has already been over 100 days.
How would you describe Ain Ebel?
E.B.: Ain Ebel is a Christian Lebanese village in the district of Bint Jbeil in the Nabatieh Governorate, located about 120 km south of Beirut, a few kilometres from the border with Israel. It is situated in the Upper Galilee region of southern Lebanon, at an altitude of 720–850 metres above sea level, in a hilly area surrounded by other Christian towns such as Rmeish and Debel, as well as Shiite villages. The population of Ain Ebel varies depending on the season. In winter, around 2,500–3,000 people live there, but in summer the number of residents doubles. The largest return takes place in mid-August, for the Feast of Our Lady. This is a very important event for the entire community.
J.A: We are essentially an agricultural community, known primarily for olive cultivation. We have one of the oldest schools in the region, founded by the Jesuits in the mid-19th century. People also work in the public sector, and we run hotels and restaurants. However, support from our diaspora is very important – people who have left Ain Ebel but continue to help their hometown.
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What are the residents of Ain Ebel like?
E.B.: It is a community that is very education-oriented. Most young people choose to pursue higher education. Many later leave to work in Gulf countries, especially Dubai, where they work in banking and the private sector. This in fact reflects the situation of Lebanon as a whole – highly educated people often cannot find suitable professional opportunities here and unfortunately emigrate.
When I looked at photos of Ain Ebel, I saw people of all ages.
E.B.: That is exactly the case. Our Catholic school of the Sacred Heart has a strong reputation, and the waiting list is long. Many students come from nearby villages, including Shiite ones. Education is one of the reasons people want to live there. Of course, when children go on to university, families often move to Beirut. But life in Ain Ebel is still vibrant. There are shops, pharmacies, a hospital, a clinic, hotels, and an olive press. We produce honey, jams, and olive oil. It is a small but functioning local economy.
You use the word “village,” but in Polish it does not quite reflect what you are describing.
E.B.: Ain Ebel is a town whose residents still partly lead an agricultural lifestyle. Some of us, the more traditional ones, like to call it a village, because there is still that old mentality of communal life and mutual support.
Let’s talk about the current situation. Were you prepared for what happened at the beginning of March?
J.A: Since 2024, there has been a very tense atmosphere (in 2024, Lebanon experienced the most serious escalation since 2006 of the armed conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which led to thousands of casualties and widespread destruction, especially in the south of the country and the Beirut area – editor’s note). The media spoke about a ceasefire, but it was never complete. Shots were being fired all the time. We expected something to happen. We were in Ain Ebel ourselves that night when everything began. We had come to prune olive trees and work in the groves. We were supposed to stay for five days. We knew the situation was dangerous, but to some extent we were already used to it. This time, however, everything happened extremely quickly and intensely. It was a shock for everyone.
Do you stay in contact with the residents of Ain Ebel?
E.B.: Every day we call each other and ask: “Is everything okay? Can we send food? Can we deliver fuel?”. These are our basic conversations now. It is a very complex geopolitical issue. We are primarily focused on people’s survival. There are periods when for weeks we cannot deliver any aid to Ain Ebel. People do not have electricity. That is why they need fuel to generate it – not only to have light, but also to pump water from wells. All night long, generators are running so that people are not afraid. And so that militants do not enter the village. These are the basics of survival.
Israel justifies its actions as a fight against Hezbollah – why has Ain Ebel found itself at the center of the fighting?
E.B.: In Christian villages there are no Hezbollah fighters, nor even their supporters. Such a presence can be observed in the surrounding Shiite villages near Ain Ebel and in neighboring areas. This is not our war – we are not taking part in it. However, because we are located in a mixed region and border several predominantly Shiite villages – such as Bint Jbeil and Hanine – and because the fighting there is extremely intense, we feel its impact very strongly. Our village overlooks these areas, and as a result we directly experience the effects of the fighting, with shells and bombs falling on Ain Ebel on a daily basis.
So is it possible to deliver humanitarian aid to Ain Ebel?
J.A: In theory yes, but in practice we are still waiting for permits. After 2024, a coordination mechanism was established between Lebanon, the United States, Israel, France, and UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon – editor’s note). Every convoy must receive approval. We work with organizations such as Caritas and the International Red Cross. We simply collect the necessary supplies and wait until they can be transported.
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Is Ain Ebel currently cut off from the rest of Lebanon?
J.A: Yes. To reach Ain Ebel, you have to pass through areas controlled by the Israelis. The Lebanese army has withdrawn from southern Lebanon. The same applies to international UN forces. The situation is therefore still critical. At the moment, Ain Ebel is cut off from the rest of Lebanon, although it is not formally under Israeli occupation.
Can residents leave if they want to?
E.B.: Yes, but it is a very difficult decision. Those who leave are mainly sick people, pregnant women, and families with small children. However, many people want to stay. After the experiences of 2024, many fear that if they leave their homes, they may never be able to return. More than 1,200 people are still in Ain Ebel.
This is a very strong sense of attachment to the land. On the one hand, staying there requires courage – it is impossible to know what might happen. On the other hand, it is the land of one’s ancestors, the land you love…
E.B.: Yes. I think we share many things with Poland – not only faith, but also the fact that we are located on the edges of high-tension regions. This truly shapes a person and changes them. Many young people could live comfortably in Beirut, but they say: “No, we will stay here.” We deeply admire that.
It may sound frightening, but can we say that the residents of Ain Ebel are almost accustomed to living in danger?
J.A: Since 2006, we have been hearing drones above our heads. For many people in the world, this is something new, but for us it is everyday life. Living with a sense of threat has become part of our reality… But the current situation is different. The bombardments are much more frequent and intense. People are tired of constant displacement. Many simply say: “I want to live in my home and die in my home.” In some parts of the town, people had to evacuate, some houses have been destroyed, and movement is not possible everywhere.
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Can you count on support from the state or the military?
E.B.: There is currently no real state presence there. Aid is mainly organized by the Church, non-governmental organizations, and crisis cells in Beirut. The representative of the Vatican also plays a very important role. Without his support, the situation would be much more difficult. But even that does not guarantee certainty. A few weeks ago, the papal nuncio, despite having the required permits, was stopped about 10 kilometers before the village of Debl near Ain Ebel and denied entry into the town. He waited in his car for six hours. He had written authorization, approved and stamped. These were not verbal permissions. We are talking about the Pope’s representative. And still – it meant nothing.
What does everyday life in Ain Ebel look like today?
E.B.: The priest and nuns are still there. People are trying to maintain a sense of normality. As Joseph mentioned, the town has become more compressed, so people live closer together. They meet near the town hall, where humanitarian aid is distributed. In-person schooling has been suspended, and classes have been moved online. At present, internet access in Ain Ebel is cut off, except for a few places – such as the square near the church – where students gather to catch a signal and attend lessons. Our children are sending a message to the world: nothing will stop us. The desire to live and learn will always be stronger than any circumstances. But the bombardments do not stop. It is hard to live normally when you hear explosions every day and do not know what will happen tomorrow. That is why people try to normalize life as much as possible based on their faith. They observed Palm Sunday and celebrated the Resurrection. When someone dies, they hold proper funerals. They continue to live there as a Christian parish community.
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If you had to summarize – what do the residents of Ain Ebel most need today?
E.B.: First and foremost, a safe passage for humanitarian aid. If we are to set priorities, safe passage must come first. We have medicines waiting in cold storage for the opportunity to be transported to Ain Ebel. The town needs fuel, medicines, and water. There is a well in the town, but it provides water for irrigation and washing. What a sad paradox – in Lebanon, a country with dozens of rivers, we drink bottled water, unfortunately. We have to transport it by truck. According to our estimates, a family needs 5 liters of water per day. One water truck costs between 850 and 1,000 dollars.
J.A.: We also need stable, long-term support. Not one-time aid, but partners who will stand with us over the coming months. We want to build a support network based on solidarity and faith, so that no matter what happens, our people are not left alone. If a major war breaks out in another part of the world, most international organizations move there. That is why we are drawing conclusions from our experience and building a support network.
E.B.: We do not want to be just another headline in the news. We feel pain. But determination combined with our faith is part of our DNA as Christians from Galilee. We want to protect our people and our lives. Thank you.
Thank you for the conversation.
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