Lebanon – Several areas of the capital Beirut hit

Sister Mary Stephanos, Provincial Superior of the Eastern Province, was contacted by telephone by Vatican Radio’s Channel X. All of us, sisters, collaborators and volunteers, echo Pope Leo’s appeal: ‘Let the noise of weapons cease, let us return to negotiations,’ and we pray for the communities, the people, the children and the elderly of Beirut and southern Lebanon.

Several areas of Beirut have been bombed by Israel, and more than 65,000 people have already registered in shelters after being displaced by the recent attacks.

As Israel attacks Lebanon, thousands of people are seeking refuge in neighbouring Syria. But Syria has closed its border with Lebanon after receiving a warning from Israel that it could trigger retaliation. The border remains open only for Syrians fleeing Lebanon.

“For now, we cannot move, we have to wait and see how things will turn out. At the moment, the bombings are continuing in various areas and are sudden. We are a little confused at the moment.

The state has opened schools to accommodate displaced people, while others remain in their cars, waiting for the situation to calm down a little so they can return to their homes. As in all wars, the poor will suffer the most.

I want to launch an appeal for peace. We want peace. We just want peace, we want these weapons to stop. No more weapons, no more innocent people dying under the bombs”.

Israeli forces have intensified their attacks on Hezbollah positions in Beirut and southern Lebanon, forcing civilians to flee the area.

The operation aims to neutralise threats from Hezbollah and Iran, with Israeli and American forces coordinating efforts to target missile launch sites.

Israel is launching a new wave of attacks across Lebanon in the rapidly escalating conflict with Hezbollah. On Wednesday morning, 4 March, Beirut was hit by further air strikes.