– It will put our lives in danger. So says Ralph, a young Lebanese engineer. He expresses his fear of how a possible war between Israel and the Islamist movement Hezbollah will affect the whole country, after Israel attacked several targets in Lebanon on Sunday. This happens after Saturday’s rocket attack that hit the Druze town of Majdal Shams, on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The attack killed 12 children and young people on a football pitch. Explanation of abbreviation A Shiite Islamist movement that was founded in 1982. The movement is allied with Iran, Syria and Hamas. They consist of a military and a political wing, the military wing is listed on the EU’s terrorist list. The US has listed the entire movement on its terrorist list. Source: NTB/ Store norske lexikon Facts about the Syrian part of the Golan Heights The Syrian part of the Golan Heights was occupied by Israel during the Six Day War in 1967. In 1981, the area was annexed by Israel. The US recognized the area as Israeli in 2019. The UN has decided that this is a Syrian area that must be returned. The inhabitants of the area consist of Jewish settlers and Druze. Source: UN association The Druze are a religious community in the Middle East of Islamic origin. They are a minority in Syria, Israel and Lebanon. There are an estimated 180,000 Druze in Syria, 140,000 in Lebanon and 50,000 in Israel. Source: Great Norwegian Lexicon Will have several consequences – A war will be devastating for the country. Ralph fears that the country will grind to a halt in many areas if the situation escalates. – Tourism will stop, the shops will close. Everyone must stay at home or seek refuge, and no tourists will come anymore. Ralph, a young Lebanese engineer. Lebanon has tourism from many Arab countries, in addition to 15 million Lebanese living scattered around the world. Many of these spend the summers in the country. Every year, Lebanon earns approximately NOK 100 billion from tourism. Ralph wants both Hezbollah and Israel to stop attacking each other. – In my opinion, there must be an agreement, a settlement between both parties. We must enforce international agreements and laws, and stop the war from both sides. Cecilie Hellestveit, lawyer and conflict and international law researcher at the Institute of International Law. She says that the Lebanese population has first been affected by the effects of the Syrian war, which has negatively affected the country’s economy. The country is in an economic crisis with very high inflation. In addition, Hezbollah has not wanted to demobilize the movement, says Hellestveit. – Many states have tried to get Hezbollah to disarm itself after the Syrian war. To make them a more traditional political movement. They have opposed that. Cecilie Hellestveit, lawyer and conflict and international law researcher at the Institute of International Law. Photo: Christian Breidlid The conflict and international law researcher says that the consequences will now affect the civilian population. – Now the Lebanese risk that Lebanon will be exposed to a full-scale war with an Israeli ground invasion or massive air strikes. It’s going to be very devastating. According to Hellestveit, the civilian population has no influence. – The average Lebanese is not in a position to protest or vote for someone who can protect them from this. Fears for the country’s economy Another Lebanese, Ranna, is also afraid of how a war will affect the country economically. Ranna, who is a nurse, believes that the situation is already stressful for Lebanese. Now she hopes it doesn’t get worse. – The economic situation in Lebanon is already very bad. Secondly, it will also affect tourism because we are still in the summer season of tourism. Ranna is a nurse in Lebanon. Ranna says she understands Hezbollah wants to protect southern Lebanon and the people there, but wants an end. – Hezbollah must stop what they are doing now. They must not escalate the situation, she says, referring to the rocket attacks the group carries out against Israel. According to Hellestveit, Lebanese who can afford it have already left the country. Most of those who remain are the weakest, she says. – They will pay the biggest price if there is an escalated war. It is an extremely difficult situation to be in, says the human rights expert. Published 28/07/2024, at 23.33
ttn-69