ISRAEL Hezbollah’s war against Israel and Christian farmers fighting to save olives

As harvest season approaches in mid-October in southern Lebanon, security concerns are mounting. Rumours of a possible escalation on the Lebanese front between militants and the IDF are fuelling uncertainty. Farmers are protected by UNIFIL. Olive growing produces between 100,000 and 200,000 tonnes of olives a year, 70% of which is used for pressing.

Beirut () – In the twelfth month of the “aid war” (against Gaza) that Hezbollah has launched against Israel, the situation in the border villages of southern Lebanon is more uncertain than ever. After a few days of relative calm, there has been a renewed intensification of military operations on the Israeli front, to “return the population” of the north of the Jewish State to their homes. In this context of growing tensions, Israeli incursions against new regions have intensified, as part of the strategy to “create belts of fire” in the valleys and forests that connect the cities. Hezbollah has also changed its tactics and is increasingly using drones in its operations.

As the olive harvest season approaches, producers and landowners must take extreme precautions. This is a necessary approach, although until now the Israeli bombings have been selective and have spared the villages and towns populated by Christians, who take great care and attention to their olive groves.

Deir Mimas, Bourj el-Moulouk, Kleyaa and Rachaya are located in this area, in the district of Marjeyoun. The councillors of these villages, some of which have been depopulated due to war and violence, have just informed the Lebanese army and the command of the UN International Peacekeeping Force (UNIFIL) of their intention to harvest the olives. However, local officials warn that “we will not do anything until we have a UNIFIL escort, because the situation seems to be getting worse again,” a producer from Deir Mimas also agrees.

Can safety be guaranteed?

“It’s impossible!” exclaims a resident of the same village in response to the question, on condition of anonymity. [chiítas vinculados al movimiento libanés Hezbolá] . “The other night a shell fired from a tank hit our house. It is a miracle that we were not blown to pieces. But we refused to talk about it with the journalists who came with their cameras. Our compatriots are nervous about the risks they face and we understand them. Many of them

“They have lost their lives in combat. We cannot publicly mourn a war that we deplore, but which they consider a sacred duty.”

“On the other hand,” the man adds, “there is also the brutality of the Israeli army, which knows no bounds. A few days ago they bombed a Civil Protection fire truck that was putting out a fire in an olive grove, killing the three men operating it.

Christians in southern Lebanon, like the vast majority of the inhabitants of the Land of the Cedars, were hostile to the opening of a front with Israel on October 8, 2023, the day after Hamas launched an attack on Gaza. But Hezbollah began hostilities unilaterally, without consulting any other leaders or representatives inside the country.

“The harvest starts in mid-October and usually lasts a month and a half,” explains Fouad.

who had to leave his home in Deir Mimas. However, he knows that he will have to return for at least six to eight weeks, despite the risks, the time needed to collect and sell the harvest. [cristianos]“This year we hope to sell a 20-litre gallon for $200, up from $150 last year,” the man explains. This increase is due to inflation, which is reflected in the cost of labour. He adds: “We prefer to hire Lebanese labourers rather than Syrian ones. We have already signed an agreement with the young people from the Wazzani River region. They will come to work for us, but we have warned them that this year they will have to do it quickly.”

The inhabitants of these villages

who are protected by the Spanish UNIFIL contingent, say that their olive groves have not been affected by the white phosphorus bombings carried out by the Israeli army. IDF soldiers sometimes use this gas as a shield against rockets or as an incendiary projectile, and its use is the cause of strong controversy and accusations.

“Our area has not been bombed and UNIFIL has already carried out the necessary analyses. They have assured us that our land is not contaminated,” the farmer told . “However,” he added with a smile, “it seems that everyone who temporarily leaves their homes returns to find them infested with rodents and insects. We were told that this is because the bombings create cracks and break up the earth, which forces the animals to escape from their nests and burrows.” Olive growing produces between 100,000 and 200,000 tons of olives per year. About 30% of the harvest is used for table olives. The remaining 70% is pressed to extract the oil. According to official figures, between 15,000 and 25,000 tons of olive oil are produced in Lebanon each year.

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