On South Lebanon Liberation Day, there is perhaps no image more powerful than that of a home reduced to rubble, while its owner still raises the Lebanese flag above the ruins.
It is an image that captures the pain of so many people, but also their unwavering connection to this land and their deep sense of belonging.
Occupations have passed, wars have passed, and destruction remains as a witness. Yet every time, the South has risen again.
Today, more than ever, we need to remember that this flag is not merely a piece of cloth. It represents the story of people who endured, sacrificed, and remained steadfast in their commitment to Lebanon despite every hardship.
From the South—the land that has paid a heavy price so that the nation may endure—we say:
No matter how many homes are destroyed, there will always be people who raise the flag, hold on to hope, and believe that Lebanon is what unites us.
