Fear and mistrust in Mount Lebanon after Israel targets remote areas

Lebanon's central Mount Lebanon region was reeling from overnight Israeli attacks on Monday, with residents more and more reluctant to trust those fleeing from Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs.Despite a recent attack on its media office, Hezbollah continues to maintain direct contact with local and foreign journalists in Lebanon, and took reporters to the village of Qmatiyeh in the mountain range, about 30 minutes by car south-east of Beirut.Journalists were able to speak to the residents there, who are largely supporters of Hezbollah and the allied Amal movement.During the tour, Hezbollah and Amal flags could be seen along the street.In Qmatiyeh, two buildings were damaged overnight by Israeli attacks.According to residents, seven people were killed, including four children.The Health Ministry reported 15 dead and 46 injured in this and another attack in the area.'Nobody is here. It is mainly people who have fled from southern Lebanon and are seeking prote ction here,' a resident named Ahmed told dpa.'Look at their books and school bags,' said a relative of one of the children who were killed.A resident of a nearby Christian village said many people who came from southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs, strongholds of the Shiite Hezbollah militia, were taking refuge in various Mount Lebanon villages, which are inhabited mainly by Druze and Christians.George, a resident of the Christian village of Khale said some people refused to rent to the refugees because they were afraid that Hezbollah commanders might be among the displaced and 'Israel might target their homes.''We have to know to whom we are renting out our homes because Israel knows key Hezbollah commanders one by one,' he added.Source: Ghana News Agency