TFLE01: SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN VILLAGES BESET BY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 002488

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/SINGH/HARDING

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2016
TAGS: IS LE MOPS PHUM PTER
SUBJECT: TFLE01: SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN VILLAGES BESET BY
HIZBALLAH TACTICS AND SHIA REFUGEES

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey D. Feltman. Reason: Section 1.4 (d).

SUMMARY
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1. (C) A delegation of the municipal heads of four
Christian villages located near the Blue Line told econoff on
July 28 that Hizballah was sneaking into their villages and
launching rockets from inside them. The resulting Israeli
airstrikes damage houses and kill civilians. The municipal
heads suspect Hizballah was using rocket launchers with
timers. When the municipal heads confronted Hizballah
officials, they denied the practice but did not seem too
concerned about civilian casualties and talked about "open
war." At the same time, these Christian villages are hosting
about 20,000 Shia refugees from neighboring villages. A
humanitarian crisis is brewing as the refugees lack potable
water and electricity. End summary.

HIZBALLAH LAUNCHING ROCKETS
FROM CHRISTIAN VILLAGES
--------------


2. (C) On July 28, a delegation of the municipal heads of
four Christian villages near the Blue Line briefed econoff on
their security and humanitarian problems. Led by Joseph Abou
Elias, the municipal heads represented a small "Christian
belt" of villages--Rmaich, Ayn Ebel, Debel, and Qaozah --
located just west of the intense ground fighting occurring in
the triangle formed by Bint Jbeil, Yaroun, and Maroun el-Ras.
According to Abou Elias, Hizballah fighters have been
sneaking into Christian villages at night and launching
rockets from within the villages. The resulting Israeli
return fire, whether from artillery or air strikes -- has
damaged many houses and killed civilians. Early in the war,
Hizballah launched a rocket from Ayn Ebel, and shortly
thereafter an Israeli airstrike destroyed or damaged 70-80
houses in the village. Abou Elias said that Hizballah
fighters haven't been seen in Christian villages, so he
suspects that Hizballah fighters place launchers with timers
in the villages at night, which allows the fighters to
evacuate in safety.


3. (C) The municipal heads have met with Hizballah and Amal
MPs and local Hizballah officials to complain. Hizballah
denied the practice, but one Hizballah official bluntly said
that if one of Hizballah's fighters is facing death, he will
seek shelter wherever he can. Abou Elias accused Hizballah
of intentionally trying to increase civilian casualties. He
got the impression that Hizballah considers itself to be in a
war of survival, so any means necessary are acceptable.
Hizballah officials have repeatedly talked about "open war."

BREWING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
--------------


4. (C) The municipal heads were frustrated by Hizballah's
tactics because their Christian villages have accepted some
20,000 Shia refugees from neighboring villages. Some Shia
fled from the fighting in the Bint Jbeil triangle, but other
Shia have the impression that they will be safe from Israeli
bombs in Christian villages. There is no fuel for generators
or running water in the Christian villages, so the Shia
refugees are drinking water from pools on tobacco farms and
from animal troughs. They cannot boil the water since there
is no electricity. Rmaich, the largest Christian town and
where the most Shia refugees have congregated, has two
working wells for fresh water. However, they are located
outside the town and whenever someone tries to take water
from the well, Israeli forces shell the area around the well,
according to the municipal heads. Communication is difficult
as the landlines are down, and cellphones aren't working
because there is no electricity to charge their batteries.


5. (C) Abou Elias added that the situation is getting worse
and is exacerbated by stubborn residents who refuse to leave
their homes despite Israeli warnings to evacuate. There are
too many who say they would rather die in their own homes
than live without dignity as refugees.
FELTMAN