A Village Caught in the Crossfire
The village of Khodor in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley has been thrust into the heart of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. While the fighting has primarily focused on southern Beirut and the Lebanon-Israel border, Khodor has not been spared from the devastation.
Airstrikes have repeatedly hit the village, leaving residents in constant fear. One such strike claimed the lives of a beloved schoolteacher, his grandson, and Ahmed Awdeh's father. Awdeh, traumatized by the loss, described his father as a kind and beloved farmer.
Khodor's residents maintain they have no involvement with Hezbollah, yet they find themselves caught in the crossfire. The village has been subjected to regular attacks, forcing residents to live in fear and seek shelter every night.
Despite the escalating violence and displacement, the people of Khodor remain resolute. They refuse to abandon their homes, even in the face of immense suffering. Tarek, whose brother was killed in a recent strike, poignantly asks, "Should we live under the trees? It's more honorable to die in our homes."
The war in Lebanon has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with thousands killed and injured. The people of Khodor, like countless others, are caught in a conflict they did not choose, yearning for peace and an end to the suffering.