There is no ceasefire in Lebanon

Photo by Tim Broadbent on Unsplash

It is a couple of weeks since the last post from my friend in Lebanon. Before Easter she wrote: "The situation is getting very intense. For the past two days there has been a lot of bombing clearly heard in Saida even though the actual locations are kilometres away. It shows the mass weapons Israel uses. You might have heard the news that Iran (and allies) now threatens to target American universities and schools in Beirut. So even those in 'safer locations' went to online teaching.

" I am on edge, very stressed. I am at a stage where I close my eyes but never really sleep. The sound of fighter jets is intensifying through the night." The nervousness she expressed has led to her leaving Lebanon.

Chatting with her since her arrival in London she reiterates the cause of her fears. With some anger, she affirms that there is no 'precision' or 'targeted' killing. Ariel bombing of a café or of a car, kills and maims all those around. If a pager is the 'target', in a pocket or in the hands of a child, that too will kill and maim those in its circle. Whether perpetrated by Israel or Hezbollah the consequences are the same.

While they had not received the cruel 'evacuation' notices that has caused thousands to be displaced within Lebanon (as earlier in Gaza) she felt it was only a matter of time. The military grip on her neighbourhood and home, were tightening. She knew it was time to leave.

Easier said than done. With no direct flights and no way of paying the airlines it seemed impossible. A friend in the UK offered to book the flights for three of them. A flight was found to Larnaca in Cyprus then another to Heathrow, but it would be more than 48 hours of travel. The day they began their journey hundreds of places around Lebanon were bombed. The journey to the airport in Beirut, then partially closed, usually took 40 minutes. It took almost three hours. On arrival at the airport, she sent me a video of bombs exploding on the circumference of the airport. Theirs was one of the last flights to leave.

A 24 hour stay in Larnaca airport brought a somewhat strange encounter with a young Israeli mother with a small child also fleeing to the safety. My friend is a Muslim, and we spoke of how it is the women, the mothers, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim, who are the hidden victims of war as they flee with their children.

A subsequent flight to Heathrow, arriving at midnight brought them closer to some peace and security. The kindness of colleagues and friends made their arrivals somewhat softer. A priest friend met them and took them home so that they could at least get some sleep before making yet another journey into London. Friends at a convent in London have offered them some rooms while they settle and think of what to do. The children, remarkably bright, charming young people, will settle to online schooling. My friend will keep in contact with family back home and day by day try to make judgements about what to do next. The hope is of a ceasefire and return - but just now, that looks like a far away option.

In the midst of all of this, Palestinian warmth and generosity was a strong as ever. They had managed to bring gifts of Lebanese sweets. These, she said, were given by Christians and Muslims as they celebrate Easter and Eid.

Yesterday Pope Leo led a vigil of prayer for peace. I was drawn to the call to all of us in his final prayer where he said the Church is a great people at the service of reconciliation and peace. "May the madness of war cease, and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still know how to bring forth, protect and love life. Hear us, Lord of life! "

Pat Gaffney is former General Secretary and now Vice President of Pax Christi England and Wales.