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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Ruth Michaelson, and William Christou in Beirut

‘They are taking incredible care of us’: Lebanon’s Shia put their faith in Hezbollah

A portrait of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah amid debris from Israeli attacks in Beirut's southern suburbs, 10 October 2024
A portrait of the killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah amid debris from Israeli attacks in Beirut’s southern suburbs, 10 October. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

When the Sabra family fled Israeli bombardments in the southern Lebanese town of Marjayoun for Beirut’s southern suburbs in October last year, a monthly stipend in dollars from Hezbollah meant they did not fear going hungry. When they were displaced a second time, to the mountains around the capital by a wave of Israeli attacks on southern Beirut, regular deliveries of meals, food parcels and even cleaning supplies from organisations connected to the group have kept them afloat.

“They are taking incredible care of us even with everything that is happening. They never leave us alone,” said Hind Sabra, whose name has been changed. Their house of 14 people contains three families, each receiving a $200 (£150) monthly stipend in cash as well as cut-price medications, and food parcels containing rice, oil, tuna and beans.

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