The patrol begins at dusk every night in Hasbayya, southern Lebanon, where volunteers monitor roads amid the sounds of distant artillery. Some scouts take positions in hidden spots, while others patrol on motorcycles, alerting local police to suspicious activity.
This volunteer force considers itself the first line of defense in Hasbayya, a largely Druse and Christian town near the Lebanese-Israeli border. The volunteers are not only on lookout for Israeli troops but also for Hezbollah fighters, as the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalates.
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict has expanded beyond the border region, affecting many communities in southern and eastern Lebanon. Israeli airstrikes have destroyed homes and villages, while Hezbollah has retaliated with rocket fire and clashes along the border.
Israel’s military campaign has impacted various communities in the south, including those with strong support for Hezbollah and those opposing the group. While there is a general unity among the Lebanese people against the Israeli assaults, residents in southern towns where Hezbollah's influence is less feel caught between the conflict.
In Hasbayya, a neighborhood watch group has formed, and local leaders have engaged with Hezbollah to prevent rocket launches from within the town. However, officials have also refused refuge to displaced Shiite Muslim families from nearby Hezbollah-dominated areas, a decision that risks heightening sectarian tensions.
Hasbayya, located six miles from the Israeli border, is home to approximately 30,000 residents, predominantly Druse Lebanese, alongside Christians and some Sunni Muslims. The town, marked by quiet olive and pine groves, is now filled with the sounds of war, including artillery and airstrikes.
When Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel, local leaders approached the group to urge them not to act from within the town, aiming to protect residents. Despite assurances from Hezbollah to avoid trouble, the escalation of conflict has led to heightened fears among residents.
In response to increasing tensions and potential infiltration by Hezbollah, residents have volunteered to assist local police in a neighborhood watch initiative. An 8 p.m. curfew and restrictions on vehicle movement have been implemented to enhance security.
The local population is acutely aware of the limitations of their defenses against the larger military might of Israel and Hezbollah. They strive to deter Hezbollah fighters from infiltrating their town while seeking to alert residents should any threats arise.
Recent Israeli airstrikes have brought the conflict closer to home, with the destruction of nearby villages prompting a flood of displaced families seeking refuge in Hasbayya. Local officials worry about the potential presence of Hezbollah fighters among these refugees.
On the ground, residents reflect on the uncertain safety of their village. An Israeli airstrike that killed journalists within Hasbayya heightened fears that the town is no longer safe from attack.
Amid growing concerns, local citizens express their desire for stability. They highlight the arbitrary nature of the conflict, emphasizing that it has been imposed upon them, while they continue to seek peace for their community.