Fears are growing in southern Lebanon about what the days, weeks and even months ahead will hold after Israel launches “limited” ground air strikes across the border.
Bassam el-Hajj, a 60-year-old teacher who lives in the Lebanese border town of Rumeish, told NBC News that he feared the worst when he saw the Lebanese army withdrawing from the area last night.
“I had a feeling that something significant was happening – and soon,” he said in an interview this morning. Later, El Hajj said he heard “very close clashes” near his village and the sounds of fighting “surrounded us from all sides.”
El-Hajj and Charbel, 35, who asked that her last name be withheld for fear of professional repercussions, said the incident appeared to be quiet by about 10 a.m. local time (3 a.m. ET). spoke.
Still, Charbel said, “The situation is difficult and critical. We are scared and want the Lebanese army to remain in our villages.” He also expressed concern for the future if Israel continued its expedition, saying he feared his family would run out of “fuel, bread, medicine and drinking water.”
“I don’t know if the message is getting through, but if this situation continues, it will be very difficult,” he said.
