Armed groups in Lebanon face Israel’s military machine on a daily basis, suffering losses in both personnel and equipment. protothema.gr met members of these groups in a secret mountainous location where close-quarters combat reportedly takes place.

The owner of a house, himself a member of an armed group, said they have no issue with Israeli civilians, but rather with the state’s policy of territorial expansion. The war in Lebanon has reportedly caused more than 1,090 deaths, with southern Lebanon turning into a “graveyard.”

Israel has established five bases in southern Lebanon and is attempting to take control of the village of Khiam, without success so far.

Just two days before the first month since the coordinated attack on Tehran by the United States and Israel, the harsh reality in the Middle East leaves little room for optimism. The war has expanded into long-troubled Lebanon, with armed groups confronting the disciplined and heavily equipped Israeli war machine on a daily basis—though one that is also described as increasingly exhausted—suffering losses in both personnel and equipment.

protothema.gr met members of these heavily armed groups in a secret mountainous area where close-quarters battles are taking place, with dozens reported killed since the beginning of hostilities.

Kalashnikov rifles, RPG rocket launchers, automatic weapons, and sniper rifles were part of the group’s arsenal, as they spoke under strict anonymity for security reasons, in a context where deaths in Lebanon have reportedly exceeded 1,090.

The meeting in a house with the Star of David

The initial meeting point was given on a central city street early in the morning of March 25. Upon arrival, new instructions led the team to a house outside the urban area. There, something unexpected was seen: a large iron structure featuring a prominent Star of David—the symbol of the State of Israel—inside the home of a Shiite Muslim, a member of an armed mountain group.

When asked why it was there, the response was equally unexpected: “We have no problem with the people of the country, but with the policies of the State of Israel, which seeks to take land from our country,” the homeowner said, highlighting once again, in their view, the West’s limited understanding of Middle Eastern realities.

After all necessary arrangements were completed, the team moved to the location of the armed wing of the group.

RPGs, grenades, and sniper rifles

After a long journey into a mountainous area near the front line, the team reached a site where dozens had reportedly been killed just days earlier. The complex situation in Lebanon—where the official state army has withdrawn from areas of Israeli incursion—has led to the emergence of armed groups, including Hezbollah and Amal.

“We do what the country’s army does not,” said the group’s leader. Those present appeared to be young individuals who have known only war and death. “Resistance is the only thing we can do, and we will continue as long as we are alive,” they said, before the team was forced to leave urgently due to indications of a possible Israeli airstrike.

The situation at the front

Since the 2024 war, Israel has established five bases inside southern Lebanese territory and is attempting to gain control of the village of Khiam. Despite pressure, full control has not yet been achieved. Meanwhile, strikes on bridges and road networks continue.

War, however, has no winners. Once again, civilians bear the heaviest cost. Southern Lebanon has effectively turned into a vast graveyard, while northern Israel stands only a few steps away from a potential new evacuation.