In non-Shiite villages of south Lebanon refusing to evacuate, the army struggles to maintain its presence

In the Christian, Druze and Sunni villages of south Lebanon, residents are determined to remain in their homes, despite the looming Israeli ground offensive and bombardments that have already claimed several lives, including a priest from Qlayaa (Marjayoun) and three young men in Ain Ibl (Bint Jbeil). In order to stay, however, locals are appealing to the Lebanese army, whose deployment they say could protect their villages from the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. At the end of 2025, the army resumed operational control south of the Litani River, in line with the Cabinet's decision regarding the state's monopoly on arms. However, recent movements and redeployments on the ground have raised fears of a complete withdrawal by the army ahead of an Israeli ground invasion, which could force residents to abandon their villages....