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Mental-Health Strain Grows in Lebanon’s “Yellow Line” Villages Amid Ongoing Israeli Strikes
By Drooid · · How we work
Ongoing Conflict and Its Toll on Ghandouriyeh
The hilltop village of Ghandouriyeh, just outside Israel’s imposed “Yellow Line,” has endured repeated shelling and the constant presence of Israeli drones. Although the village has not suffered a direct strike in “months,” its homes remain largely destroyed, and basic services such as water and electricity are absent. Mayor Mohammed Ali Nader said roughly 228 families have returned to the damaged homes despite these conditions.
Mental-Health Strain Documented by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) operates a mobile clinic in Ghandouriyeh that provides both medical and psychological care. Since the war began on 2 March, MSF records show 1,326 individual mental-health sessions have been held across southern Lebanon. On 28 August, only three patients attended the clinic, two of whom were new patients seeking mental-health support. MSF psychologist Almas Al Andary notes a rise in acute stress responses, hyper-vigilance, and sleep disturbances among residents.
Local Officials Describe Living Conditions
Mayor Mohammed Ali Nader identified access to water as the community’s most urgent need, noting that without it families cannot grow food. Community health educator Farah Kerbaj reported widespread sleep disorders and increased use of medication for mental-health conditions. MSF midwife Reem Farhat described patients as “very agitated,” while stigma and displacement complicate data collection on the crisis.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today the number decreased because yesterday there were air strikes and people fled again from this area,” — Al Andary, clinical psychologist
- “We definitely see a lot of people having acute stress disorders. And these symptoms we can't formally diagnose because the crisis is still ongoing,” — Al Andary, clinical psychologist
Broader Implications
Health workers warn that the chronic stress environment may evolve into a larger mental-health crisis, especially as cease-fire violations continue and residents remain ready to flee at a moment’s notice. The combination of destroyed infrastructure, ongoing drone activity, and limited access to basic services creates a “hyper-vigilant” state that hampers recovery and threatens long-term community resilience.