The ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine took an increased turn on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked populations in Israel, killing, injuring and kidnapping Israelis. Israel retaliated, which led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Gaza. Many more were wounded. Millions of people have been displaced, with more than 60 percent of Gaza now in ruins. The violence in Israel and Palestine has spread to Lebanon, where thousands of people have been injured and hundreds killed after Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and numerous other parts of the country.

In an update received on October 8, 2024, the Near East School of Theology (NEST), located in Beirut, Lebanon, writes that the situation continues to deteriorate, as “Hezbollah in Lebanon began its own war campaign under the heading of ‘In Support of Gaza.’ They have launched thousands of rockets on Israel, and Israel has responded in kind.” The update continues:

On September 24, 2024, as most of our children were entering their second week of an already chaotic school year, Israel launched a series of unconventional attacks in Lebanon never seen before. Thousands of booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkie units exploded simultaneously in the hands of Hezbollah operatives (as well as non-members who happened to be there at the time of the explosions), causing the permanent blindness and maiming of thousands of Lebanese citizens.

In parallel with these unconventional attacks, the Israeli Air Force started a violent bombing campaign on villages in South Lebanon and the Bekaa and Beirut’s Southern Suburbs. They managed to assassinate dozens of top Hezbollah leaders, including General Secretary Hassan Nasrallah, on Friday 27^th.

Relentless Israeli bombing and missile attacks have not ceased since. Hezbollah, as well, contrary to most people’s expectations, has continued its missile attacks on Northern Israel, as well as fighting against Israeli ground incursion at the South Lebanon border. Populations both in Israel and in Lebanon are currently enduring a reign of terror night and day.

A ⁠Security Plan is in place: Our NEST team has gone into emergency mode. We immediately put on an emergency contingency plan to ensure the safety of our students, residents, staff, and property. As of now, many of our students and faculty have had to leave the country, under pressure from their organizations and families. Most of our residents have now gone home as we all await instructions from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE).

Education has gone online: Last week, we were able to maintain some classes on-site and some online. From Wednesday, we suspended our classes to give time to faculty and students to resettle in their new locations. In line with instructions from the MEHE, we have made arrangements to go online and we are ready to do so starting Monday October 7^th. We will hold a weekly Zoom meeting for our learning community all around the region to touch base, pray and worship together, and share anguish, encouragement and prayer. We will also hold a weekly faculty meeting over Zoom to resolve any technical issues, and to ensure not only continuity but also a healthy and professional learning environment online.

Amidst the storm, NEST is steadfast in its mission: Our small resilient community immediately took action in our neighborhood to practice good neighborliness. We visited the location of our partner, the National Protestant College nearby, to inquire about the wellbeing of now over 300 people housed there. We were also able to facilitate obtaining a wheelchair for a young girl with mental and physical disability at the same location.

In addition, NEST continues to provide lodging for medical staff and students at nearby American University Medical Center. We are also inquiring about the possibility of housing at NEST more emergency personnel from neighbouring institutions, who would otherwise have to commute to work under very dangerous conditions.

NEST asks that you pray with them as they consider how best to serve the community during these very difficult times. Please pray for:

1. The safety of our personnel and students
2. The safety of our building and properties
3. The courage to be God’s hands, feet, eyes, ears, and mouth to all those around us
4. A ceasefire and permanent peace solution for our country and region
5. A smooth transition to online learning