Arabic version: الكاثوليك في لبنان يحتفلون بأحد الشعانين وسط صراع مستمر

Catholics across Lebanon observed Palm Sunday this week, gathering in churches to commemorate Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. However, the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah cast a sombre shadow over the celebrations. According to Al Jazeera, a Maronite Catholic church in Beirut’s southern suburbs was filled to capacity, despite being near a district largely deserted due to Israeli evacuation orders and ongoing air strikes.

In the coastal city of Tyre, where residents have faced destruction from Israeli bombings that damaged nearby bridges, church bells tolled and choral music filled the air. Worshippers prayed for peace, reflecting on Lebanon’s historical sectarian tensions rooted in the civil war between Christians and Muslims from 1975 to 1990. Many congregants expressed that all Lebanese are suffering from the current conflict.

Mahia Jamus, a 20-year-old university student in Beirut, shared her concerns, stating, “There’s no bombing here right now, but no one is safe from this—not the Christians, not anyone. No one is spared from its effects.” Meanwhile, in Tyre, Christians continued to honor their traditions amid the surrounding devastation. Roseth Katra, a local resident, emphasized the importance of remaining on their land despite the ongoing hardships.

As the conflict intensifies, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported at least 1,238 deaths and over 3,500 injuries from Israeli attacks since March 2. Israeli troops have initiated a ground invasion, advancing toward the Litani River, while Hezbollah has claimed numerous operations against Israeli forces in recent days.