Caught in the Crossfire: Israeli Christians Face Hezbollah’s Relentless Attacks

The unceasing bombardment of rockets and armed drones has affected all aspects of daily life in the region.

JERUSALEM — With all eyes on the Hamas-Israel war and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, many people around the world have ignored the threat to Israel from its northern neighbor, Lebanon.

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre, Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terror organization and militia with 60,000 soldiers, has been launching rockets and armed drones at communities in northern Israel from its perch in southern Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Force often responds to the attacks by launching rockets across the border.

Hezbollah’s attacks, which sometimes number dozens a day, have caused damage, casualties and fear in the towns, villages and kibbutzim (communal farms) that dot Israel’s mostly rural northern border. This has affected the lives of all Israelis who live near Israel’s border with Lebanon, including tens of thousands of Christians.

“This is a war of attrition,” said Bishop Rafic Nahra, patriarchal vicar for Israel and auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, describing the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. “People’s lives are affected. It is a very difficult situation.”

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