Lebanon (MNN) — Fallout from the Iran war continues as Israel hits Lebanon’s capital for the first time in weeks, killing a senior Hezbollah commander.
Tit-for-tat strikes between Hezbollah and Israel have spared Beirut until now. Combat in southern Lebanon lingers despite an April 17 truce agreement.
“Two nations have signed a ceasefire, but here we go again. The conflict continues,” Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says.
“Though we have a ceasefire, we really don’t have a cessation of fire. Every day, there has been death, there has been destruction.”
U.S. pushes for peace
Diplomacy runs parallel to ongoing violence. The United States confirmed yesterday that it will host new talks between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors next week.
“Lebanon and Israel, for the first time in decades of conflict, have agreed to sit face to face in negotiations, rather than have a third party mediate the negotiations back and forth,” Melki says.
In past years, “it was always some third party that dragged us into a conflict. Before, it was the [Palestine Liberation Organization]. Now, it’s Hezbollah. Previously, it was the Syrian regime that occupied our territory,” Melki says.
“Right now, the United States and the Lebanese people are seeing hope that, for the first time, the Lebanese government can speak for the citizens of Lebanon, and the Lebanese citizens can decide for themselves.”
Earlier this week, Lebanon’s parliament speaker said there could be no negotiations with Israel until fighting stops. Yet the U.S. continues to push for peace.
Washington’s “best interest is to separate Lebanon from the control of the Iranian regime,” Melki says.
(Photo courtesy Heart for Lebanon)
Gospel hope and humanitarian help
Continued fighting in southern Lebanon means higher displacement and more people in need. Heart for Lebanon recently added 2,600 new families to its aid roster. Your gifts help the ministry meet increasing costs.
Pray for believers distributing physical help and Gospel hope. “Prayer for wisdom, perseverance, for the ability to focus on what’s more important,” Melki says.
“What’s more important is that the Gospel is spread, the love of Jesus Christ is shared, and the message of encouragement is given alongside all the humanitarian aid that we provide.”
Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.
