The city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon observed the Ashura religious ceremony, which Shia Muslims believe commemorates the slaying of Imam Hussein in the year 680 and serves as a symbol of resistance against oppression. The observance typically draws crowds of up to 30,000 people, but this year’s ceremony was attended by approximately 200 individuals in a city largely emptied by bombardment and displacement.
The Hezbollah-Israel conflict resulted in more than 3,900 deaths in Lebanon, with a significant portion being Shia Muslims. Nabatieh sustained heavy damage during the 100-day conflict, with much of the city destroyed and its population of 80,000 largely evacuated. A ceasefire announced earlier in the week by the US and Iran halted Israeli advances that had threatened to take control of the entire city. Despite this agreement, military operations continued in a “security zone” occupied by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, with Israeli troops positioned near the city’s perimeter.
Civil defence volunteers worked to prepare the central mosque for the ceremony in just two days, clearing rubble and covering damage from airstrikes with black banners. Local organizers hoped the religious observance would encourage residents to return to their homes and community. However, few residents came back, with most remaining displaced and fearful that the ceasefire could collapse as previous agreements had. Attendees drew parallels between the historical events commemorated during Ashura and their current experiences of loss and displacement.
Violence continued despite the ceasefire arrangement. On Friday, fighting intensified when Hezbollah engaged Israeli troops, resulting in four military deaths, followed by Israeli airstrikes that killed 18 people and wounded 33 in and around Nabatieh. Recovery operations proceeded cautiously, with civil defence crews working to recover remains from previously inaccessible areas. Military shelling near ambulances on Tuesday limited access to some zones, hampering relief efforts.
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