Osama Rkieh was just four during the last war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. Nearly two decades later, he’s back in Lebanon — this time delivering aid to thousands displaced by escalating Israeli air attacks.
Rkieh spoke to CBC Toronto from his hometown of Qarnoun in Lebanon by video Monday. He returned to the village last week because, he says, he felt compelled to help his people as Israeli troops commence a ground operation against Hezbollah militants.
“Tensions are extremely high since my arrival a few days ago,” Rkieh said.
Rkieh, a Lebanese Canadian now living in Toronto, says his parents and relatives, many of whom are still in Lebanon, were worried when he decided to go — but ultimately understood.
“Being here in this tough situation is important for me, to be around my family, my community, my people, being able to aid them, support them any way I can,” he added.
“It’s personal for me.”
As Israel launches a ground invasion in Lebanon and at least a million civilians are displaced, local authorities say, Lebanese Canadians are banding together to fundraise and help those in need in their home country. Dale Manucdoc reports on the local relief effort.
Attacks between Israel, Lebanon escalating
Both sides have been trading fire since Hamas-led militants from Gaza attacked Israel last October. Airstrikes from Israel have escalated over the last two weeks, resulting in the deaths of Hezbollah commanders including the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, last week.
Early on Tuesday, Israeli ground troops crossed the northern border into Lebanon, beginning “limited” raids against Hezbollah targets, Israel’s military said in a statement. The statement said ground forces were targeting villages close to the border with support from the air force and artillery.
This Israeli military says it has begun ‘localized’ raids against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon villages close to the border, saying the targets pose a threat to communities in northern Israel.
Airstrikes have also killed around 1,000 Lebanese and forced one million to flee their homes, according to officials in Lebanon. The UN high commissioner for refugees said this weekend more than 200,000 people inside Lebanon have been displaced.
About 60,000 Israelis have also been displaced from the north since attacks from Hezbollah began after the Oct. 7 attacks.
‘The devastation is pretty bad’
Rkieh says his family’s hometown has taken in over 3,000 refugees in the past few weeks as fighting has increased. Right now, he says people are afraid ground troops from Israel may soon come over the country’s southern border.
“The devastation is pretty bad,” Rkieh said.
Rkieh is in Lebanon on behalf of Islamic Relief Canada, traveling to different communities each day to distribute goods. The charity is raising money in Canada to purchase and distribute food and supplies to Lebanese civilians in need.
Every day, Rkieh says he wakes up early and helps prepare 3,000 meals, then distributes them to people in need. During that time, he says he also begins preparing meals for the next day and documents what he sees on video to be shared on social media with the world.
Charity says ceasefire needed, as well as aid
Rkieh is the only Canadian that Islamic Relief Canada has sent to Lebanon, says GTA fundraiser Yasmin Alameddine. He joins staff on the ground, who take money raised in Canada to buy and distribute supplies, she says.
So far, Alameddine says they’ve provided approximately 2,000 hygiene kits, 1,000 mattresses, 3,000 food parcels and 7,000 medical supplies to Lebanese civilians.
“We hope to send much more because we know much more is needed,” she said.
The charity is also calling on the Canadian government to add international pressure for a ceasefire in the region, she says.
“Muslims and Arabs in Canada and around the world are very disturbed by the ongoing violence in Gaza and now in Lebanon,” Alameddine said.
“Innocent lives are being lost daily. And the lack of significant reaction from our governments makes us feel as though our lives are considered disposable, undervalued.”
In a social media post Monday evening, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said nothing of a ceasefire but urged Canadians in Lebanon to leave the country.
“The security situation in Lebanon is becoming increasingly dangerous and volatile,” she posted, saying the government is working with international partners to facilitate more flights out of the country for Canadian citizens.
The federal government is urging Canadians to get out of Lebanon immediately as attacks from Israel intensify and concerns of a wider war grow. But some say Canada isn’t doing enough to help its citizens get out.
As attacks ramp up, Rkieh says he plans to stay as long as people need help and the international airport in Beirut remains open.
But not knowing what’s coming from one moment to the next isn’t easy.
Just yesterday, he heard what sounded like an explosion while filming. It turned out to be fighter jets breaking the sound barrier, he says.
“It’s just getting more and more intense,” he said. “So you have to normalize that within yourself in the meantime and try to keep pushing.”