Displaced Lebanese Christians seek return to villages during olive harvest

Displaced Christian families from the southern Lebanese village of Alma Al-Chaab are looking to the upcoming olive harvest as a potential milestone for returning to their homes. Residents have been displaced for over six months due to ongoing conflict near the Israeli border. While the Lebanese Army granted ten farmers permission to clear land in September, the community continues to face significant challenges, including damaged agricultural infrastructure and limited access to essential resources like medicine, fuel, and food.

Local parish priest Chorbishop Maroun Ghafari noted that while some residents have made brief, supervised visits to the village, the situation remains precarious. He estimates that approximately 100 residents are prepared to return permanently, provided that political conditions stabilize and safe passage is secured. As families struggle with the financial burden of displacement, Ghafari emphasized that the community relies on their Christian faith and the hope that the harvest will serve as a step toward restoring their livelihoods and returning to their village.