‘We Fled Hezbollah, Now They’re Hunting Us Again’

An Israeli-Lebanese citizen recounts his forced departure from Lebanon 20 years ago due to the Iran-backed Hezbollah, and now finds himself terrorized by the same forces once more.

Jonathan Elkoury, who fled Southern Lebanon as a child, now resides in Haifa, Israel. He describes the ongoing threat from Hezbollah, which has intensified since October 8th, as Israel and Hezbollah edge closer to a full-scale war.

Elkoury, now 32, lives in Israel’s largest northern city, Haifa. He reports that Hezbollah has launched 29 attacks against Israel using high-trajectory fire, anti-tank missiles, and suicide UAVs from July 3-4, according to the Alma Research Center, which focuses on Israel’s security challenges in the North.

Lieutenant Colonel Sarit Zehavi, a former intelligence officer in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and head of Alma, stated that Hezbollah launched 200 rockets and 20 drones at Israel on Thursday. Reuters confirmed that Hezbollah claimed responsibility for these attacks, which were in retaliation for the killing of a top Hezbollah commander, Mohammed Nasser, on Wednesday. The attacks have caused fires due to drone and interceptor shrapnel, as reported by the Israeli military.

This escalation has displaced an estimated 60,000 Israeli residents living within 0-5 km of the Lebanon border. Zehavi noted that since the conflict began, Hezbollah has launched 2,300 attacks against Israel, resulting in the deaths of nine civilians and 18 soldiers in northern Israel. The strikes have also caused massive forest fires, threatening the agriculture-dependent region and the livelihoods of local farmers.

Elkoury, with his unique perspective as both Lebanese and Israeli, believes that peace with Israel could be Lebanon’s salvation. He argues that Hezbollah is dragging Lebanon into a war that has nothing to do with the country, exacerbating its already dire economic crisis.

Reflecting on his childhood, Elkoury recalls how Hezbollah’s takeover made life miserable in Southern Lebanon. His father, a member of the South Lebanon Army fighting alongside the IDF, saw the army collapse after the IDF’s withdrawal in 2000, leading to the flight of over 680 Lebanese families to Israel.

On May 24, 2000, Israel withdrew from Southern Lebanon after 22 years, under the direction of then-President Ehud Barak, who faced domestic pressure from the grassroots organization ‘Four Mothers.’ The UN Security Council confirmed that Israel had completed its withdrawal as required by Resolution 425 of 1978, a significant move for the Middle East.

Elkoury attributes the continued Hezbollah attacks to the influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The US government stated in 2018 that Iran funds Hezbollah with an estimated $700 million annually. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, publicly acknowledged in 2016 that the organization’s funding comes directly from Iran.

Israeli security expert Sarit Zehavi highlighted Iran’s financial and tactical support for Hezbollah, including the provision of anti-tank missiles, drones, and rockets. She described Iran’s strategy as a “war of attrition” aimed at Israel, part of a multi-front campaign that began with Hamas in the South.

Despite his pride in being Israeli, Elkoury wears a pendant of the cedar tree, a symbol of Lebanon, as a reminder of his roots and his homeland, which he hopes to visit one day. He laments the ongoing conflict, believing that war should not be the answer.

Summary:

• Jonathan Elkoury, an Israeli-Lebanese citizen, fled Lebanon 20 years ago due to Hezbollah.
• Hezbollah has intensified attacks on Israel since October 8th, with 29 attacks reported from July 3-4.
• Lieutenant Colonel Sarit Zehavi reported 200 rockets and 20 drones launched by Hezbollah on Thursday.
• The attacks have displaced 60,000 Israeli residents near the Lebanon border.
• Hezbollah’s actions have caused significant forest fires, threatening local agriculture.
• Elkoury believes peace with Israel could save Lebanon from its economic crisis.
• Israel withdrew from Southern Lebanon on May 24, 2000, under President Ehud Barak.
• Iran funds Hezbollah with an estimated $700 million annually, supporting their military actions.
• Zehavi describes Iran’s strategy as a “war of attrition” against Israel.
• Elkoury, despite his Israeli identity, cherishes his Lebanese roots and hopes for peace.