Daijiworld Media Network – Beirut

Beirut, Jun 17: In the predominantly Christian towns of Marjayoun and neighbouring Qlayaa in southern Lebanon, residents are striving to rebuild their lives amid the lingering effects of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that devastated many nearby villages.

Although the two towns were largely spared the extensive destruction witnessed in several Shiite-majority communities along the border, they remain surrounded by areas still scarred by airstrikes, shelling and ground fighting. Home to an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 residents each, Marjayoun and Qlayaa have emerged as pockets of relative stability in a region recovering from months of violence.

Despite the challenges, daily life continues. Residents attend church services, children return to classrooms, shepherds tend their flocks and families carry on with routine activities, even as visible reminders of the conflict remain across the region.

However, locals say the situation is far from normal. Frequent shortages of electricity and water continue to disrupt everyday life, while worsening economic conditions have added to the hardships faced by residents. Access to specialised healthcare remains limited, often forcing people to travel long distances to receive medical treatment.

Community members have also been working to repair churches and public facilities damaged during the hostilities, reflecting efforts to restore a sense of normalcy and preserve the social fabric of the towns.

While Marjayoun and Qlayaa escaped the worst of the destruction, residents say the broader impact of the conflict continues to shape life in southern Lebanon, where recovery remains an ongoing challenge.