‘Collateral damage’: Exiled Lebanese refugees back Israel’s fight against Hezbollah

This article from The Jerusalem Post sheds light on the profound and often overlooked experiences of Lebanese refugees who once collaborated with Israel against Palestinian and Hezbollah forces. Maryam Younnes, a descendant of an SLA commander, shares a deeply personal account of fleeing her home in southern Lebanon as a child, forced to leave behind family and a life she knew.

Her narrative powerfully conveys the sense of betrayal and abandonment felt by those who stood with Israel. The SLA fought for Lebanon's sovereignty, only to be labeled "traitors" by Hezbollah after Israel's withdrawal in 2000. This forced exile, as Younnes describes, has left indelible scars, particularly the inability to reconnect with family remaining in Lebanon. The emotional toll of such separation, compounded by the loss of homeland, is a central theme.

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We were forced to leave our country. We fought for 20 years for our country, and then in one night we were supposed to just leave everything and run away.

From the perspective of The Jerusalem Post, this story underscores the complex human cost of regional conflicts and highlights the enduring ties between certain Lebanese communities and Israel. It serves as a reminder that the fight against groups like Hezbollah has created deep divisions and displaced populations, many of whom now reside in Israel. Their experiences offer a unique, albeit tragic, viewpoint on the ongoing struggle, emphasizing their desire for lasting security and freedom from Iranian-backed proxies, a sentiment that resonates strongly within Israel.

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And it left an impact, and something inside of every one of us.... We are a strong community. Mentally, we are very flexible. But still, not being able to talk to our family back in Lebanon – like me, growing up, remembering my grandma and how beautiful a connection we had, but never able to talk to her again or see her – it’s very hard.