The Melkite church in Derdghaya, which was hit and destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in October.
| © Bilal Kashmar / Wikimedia CommonsFighting Fire with Community: Local Initiatives Rise Up Amidst the Israeli War on Lebanon
Elia El Khazen & Michelle Eid discuss the destruction and contamination of agricultural land in Lebanon, caused by Israel's attacks. They also present local efforts at fighting back through community support:
October typically marks the peak of the olive harvest season in Lebanon, a time when families across the south come together to harvest, mill, press, and refine olives into olive oil. Yet, this year, for many residents of South Lebanon, October has become a painful reminder of loss: this year is the second consecutive year of little to no olive oil production, and the first year in a while in which many trees bore no fruit at all.
The reason is clear: Israel’s relentless assault on Lebanon has not only decimated the land but also disrupted the livelihoods of many of Lebanon’s residents. The attacks have ravaged agriculture, crippled local economies, and caused widespread displacement, leaving many residents without their primary source of income and sustenance.