Lebanon is celebrating the holiday season with festive spirit and unity, weeks after a ceasefire ended a 14-month conflict, bringing hope and comfort to a nation in recovery.
Lebanon is beginning to recover from a devastating 14-month conflict that ended with a ceasefire on November 27, 2024. While the country faces significant challenges, the holiday season has provided a moment of unity and hope. The conflict, primarily between Hezbollah and Israel, claimed the lives of 3,961 people, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The economic cost of the war is also steep, with damages and losses estimated at US$8.5 billion, according to a World Bank report.
Despite the hardships, the festive spirit is alive in Lebanon. Cities like Byblos have come alive with Christmas lights, music, and decorations, offering a much-needed respite from the turmoil. Cherine Al-Tom, a Lebanese citizen, captured the essence of the nation's resilience, saying, "If they fall a hundred times, they will stand back up and keep moving." Walking through the lively streets, Al-Tom emphasized the importance of keeping traditions alive, adding, "We are in Christmas mood – this is very beautiful and we must follow through with our children and let them experience Christmas."
The Christmas markets have become a symbol of hope and unity, drawing people from all factions to celebrate together. Cynthia Khalife, founder of the 'Hype and Happenings' organization, which is hosting the Byblos Christmas market, remarked, "As you can see, people from all factions have gathered here. We are all one people united in joy and peace. We hope that this year will be a year of hope for everyone."
The toll of the conflict on Lebanon’s infrastructure and economy is undeniable, but the spirit of the Lebanese people remains strong. The 2024 Christmas season marks not only a time for celebration but also a symbol of the nation's resilience and determination to rebuild and move forward.
France will finalise with other European Union countries a solution for providing financial support to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, President ...
U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine received support from the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany, who emphasized that...
Former President Jair Bolsonaro will begin a 27-year prison sentence for a coup plot against his successor, a decision made by Brazil's Supreme Court ...
The U.S.-imposed Thursday deadline on Ukraine’s peace plan is no longer Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding that “the de...
Galatasaray suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League....
The U.N. human rights office has called for an investigation into Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, which have killed at least 127 civilians since a ceasefire was agreed nearly a year ago.
Pope Leo will embark on his first trip outside Italy as the leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, travelling to Türkiye and Lebanon, where he is expected to make appeals for peace in the region.
An Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese city of Sidon killed 13 people and wounded several others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry on Tuesday (18 November).
In southern Lebanon’s Bkassine forest, once famous for its pine nuts, a silent crisis is stripping trees bare and leaving workers without livelihoods.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in north-eastern Ethiopia erupted on Sunday for the first time in over 12,000 years, before halting on Monday, according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center.
U.S. President Donald Trump has told his advisers that he plans to speak directly with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro according to Axios, as Washington designated him as the head of a terrorist organisation on Monday. A claim Maduro denies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has once again expressed strong support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, condemning foreign interference and criticising U.S. actions in the region.
The United States is preparing to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four U.S. officials told Reuters, as the Trump administration escalates pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.
Pakistan issued a strong rebuke after India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh suggested that Sindh, currently a province of Pakistan, could one day return to India. Singh framed the idea as part of a civilisational link, saying borders can change and past separations may not be permanent.
France will finalise with other European Union countries a solution for providing financial support to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine received support from the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany, who emphasized that any solution must fully involve Ukraine, following their Coalition of the Willing meeting on Tuesday.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro will begin a 27-year prison sentence for a coup plot against his successor, a decision made by Brazil's Supreme Court on Tuesday, marking the culmination of years of political turmoil and legal battles.
The U.S.-imposed Thursday deadline on Ukraine’s peace plan is no longer Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding that “the deadline for me is when it’s over.”
Galatasaray suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment