Lebanon marks subdued Liberation Day amid ongoing Israeli occupation

Lebanon Marks 26 Years Since Last Israeli Troop Withdrawal with Fears of New Occupation

Beirut, Lebanon - On May 25, 2000, the last Israeli troops left southern Lebanon after an 18-year occupation. The event marked a significant milestone in Lebanese history and has been commemorated annually as Liberation Day. However, this year’s celebrations have been marred by concerns that a new occupation is underway.

Ali Saleh, a resident of Jwaya in southern Lebanon, expressed his feelings about the current situation. “Liberation Day is a sacred day for us,” he said. “It is a holiday of victory, pride and dignity.” Saleh plans to attend Liberation Day events at the Camille Chamoun Stadium, where he has lived with his family since being displaced in March.

Since then, over 1.2 million people have been forced to leave their homes due to Israeli invasions. The most recent invasion occurred in early 2025, when Israel withdrew from all but five points in south Lebanon. However, many Lebanese fear that a prolonged occupation has begun again.

The situation is reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s, when Israel invaded Lebanon twice during the civil war to eject the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) from the country. The Israelis occupied large parts of southern Lebanon until they were driven out in 2000 following a campaign by Hezbollah.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli targets for the first time in over a year in March 2025, prompting Israel’s response with devastating attacks across the country and a ground invasion of south Lebanon. Since then, Israel has killed 3,151 people in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

Lebanon’s President, Joseph Aoun, marked Liberation Day by emphasizing the importance of national dignity. The government is engaging in direct talks with Israel for the first time, aiming to achieve a full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Source: Al Jazeera