30 trucks overcome fire and isolation… Caritas reaches the border towns of the south

Caritas Lebanon announced on Saturday the success of a humanitarian convoy of 30 trucks loaded with food supplies and basic living essentials in reaching the border towns of Ain Ebel, Debel and Rmeish, after an arduous two-day journey amid complex security conditions and field escalation that hindered movement toward the area.

In a statement, the association said the convoy set off on Thursday, May 7, and was only able to reach its destination on Friday after facing security challenges that prevented direct access to the border towns. It noted that “the determination to break the isolation imposed on residents and the conviction that it was necessary to stand by them were the decisive factors in the mission’s success.”

It stressed that “the success of a humanitarian convoy made up of 30 trucks loaded with food supplies and basic living essentials in reaching the border towns of Ain Ebel, Debel and Rmeish yesterday, Friday, reflects the scale of the humanitarian commitment toward the people of these towns, who chose to remain on their land despite exceptionally difficult circumstances.”

It pointed out that “the convoy departed on Thursday, May 7, and was unable to reach its destination until the following day, overcoming the security obstacles that had prevented access to these areas. The success of this mission was made possible by determination and a firm belief in the need to break the isolation imposed on these citizens.”

The convoy was accompanied by Maronite Patriarchal representative Bishop Charbel Abdallah, Caritas Lebanon president Father Samir Ghawi, and the secretary of the papal ambassador, Father Jakub Tomaszewski, with the participation of Rotary Lebanon and the Maronite Patriarchal Foundation for Integral Development, in a step the association described as a direct expression of humanitarian and national solidarity with the people of the south.

The association added that “these convoys now constitute the only lifeline connecting the residents of these towns to the necessities of a dignified life, amid the absence of normal supply routes. By holding fast to their land, the residents of Ain Ebel, Debel and Rmeish offer an exceptional model of courage and steadfastness, one that Caritas Lebanon is committed to supporting with all the means at its disposal.”

In a later field development, Caritas said the convoy’s return to Beirut was delayed after the road came under shelling, preventing it from continuing toward the capital and forcing the team to head to the Irish UNIFIL base to ensure the safety of participants and drivers.

It explained that “the return to Beirut was initially impossible, as the road ahead of the convoy came under shelling, making it impossible to proceed toward the capital. In order to safeguard all participants and drivers, the convoy was forced to head to the Irish UNIFIL base. The convoy later returned safely to Beirut with its full team and all 30 trucks, after the road was confirmed open and conditions for a safe return were secured.”

The association affirmed that “all team members are safe, and the situation remains under continuous monitoring and coordination with the relevant authorities to secure a return as soon as possible,” adding that it remains by the side of the people of the south and all Lebanese in this الوطن.

It concluded: “What binds us to you is deeper than distances, stronger than circumstances, and more resilient than any obstacle. We are with you, because we are of you, and because Lebanon is only complete with all of us together.”