Inside Lebanon: A journalist's perspective

Key Concepts

• Consociationalism: A political system in Lebanon where government power and representation are divided among specific religious sects.
• Hezbollah: A multifaceted Iran-backed organization acting as a political party, a provider of social services (healthcare, education), and an armed militia.
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL): The body of law that governs the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and journalists.
• Sectarianism: The deep-seated division of Lebanese society into neighborhoods and political factions based on religious identity (Christian, Sunni, Shia).
• Buffer Zone: A proposed military strategy by Israel to control a significant portion of southern Lebanon (up to the Litani River) to prevent Hezbollah activity.

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1. The Reality of Reporting in Lebanon

Maya Jubilee, the Beirut-based bureau chief for Reuters, describes the challenge of covering a country defined by "layers upon layers" of history and conflict. The bureau manages an expanded team of photographers and videographers to document the current crisis. A central theme of her reporting is the "coexistence of polar opposite realities"—where, in the same city, some residents frequent luxury restaurants while others live in makeshift tents just blocks away.

2. The Impact of Displacement and Conflict

• Wholesale Displacement: Unlike previous conflicts where Israel targeted specific buildings, the current campaign involves "wholesale displacement orders," with maps coloring entire regions (covering 15% of Lebanese territory) in red.
• Humanitarian Toll: Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, with many relying on public schools turned into shelters. This has severely disrupted education, compounding the trauma of the 2019 financial crisis and the 2020 Beirut Port explosion.
• Psychological Impact: The constant presence of surveillance drones and the sound of warplanes create a pervasive sense of insecurity, even in areas not directly hit by airstrikes.

3. Political and Social Frameworks

• The Consociational System: Lebanon’s governance is paralyzed by a system that divides power by sect. This often leads to political deadlock, as different factions prioritize their own community's interests over national stability.
• Hezbollah’s Role: Hezbollah fills the void left by a weak state, providing a social safety net for the disenfranchised Shia community. This makes the issue of disarmament extremely complex, as the group is deeply embedded in the social and political fabric of the country.
• Regional Dynamics: Lebanon’s instability is exacerbated by its geography, being "wedged" between neighbors with historically tense relations, specifically Syria and Israel.

4. The 2024–2025 Conflict and Ceasefire Attempts

• The 2025 Shift: A brief period in early 2025 saw the Lebanese government signal a willingness to disarm non-state groups, including Hezbollah, as part of a ceasefire agreement.
• Breakdown of Trust: Hezbollah argues that Israel failed to abide by the 2024 ceasefire by maintaining troops in southern Lebanon, which the group used as justification to resume hostilities in March.
• Buffer Zone Plans: Israeli officials have proposed a buffer zone south of the Litani River, declaring that 600,000 displaced people will not be allowed to return until Hezbollah is disarmed—a policy that humanitarian experts argue violates IHL.

5. Risks to Journalists

The killing of Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah in 2023 served as a "game changer" for the bureau. It shattered the assumption that wearing press gear and being clearly identifiable would guarantee safety under IHL. The team now employs heightened security protocols, including constant monitoring of drone activity and avoiding areas near potential military targets, while remaining committed to unbiased, accurate reporting despite being personally affected by the displacement.

6. Notable Quotes

• "It’s an infinitely complex place and there is that trope about Lebanon where if someone tells you that they figured it out, they understand Lebanese politics, then they’re definitely lying." — Maya Jubilee
• "It’s this coexistence of these polar opposite realities and this almost this inability for many people to cross over into the other world and accept that that other person is Lebanese." — Maya Jubilee

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Synthesis and Conclusion

Lebanon is currently trapped in a cycle of violence driven by internal sectarian divisions, a fragile political system, and external regional pressures. The current conflict has moved beyond targeted strikes to broad territorial displacement, creating a surreal environment where daily life attempts to continue amidst the threat of war. The primary takeaway is that the situation is not merely a military conflict but a deep-seated crisis of identity and governance, where the lines between civilian life and the front lines have become dangerously blurred. Journalists on the ground face the dual challenge of navigating physical danger while maintaining the objectivity required to document a society that is increasingly fractured.