NABATIYEH, Lebanon — Amid ongoing conflict and widespread destruction, Shiite residents in southern Lebanon’s Nabatiyeh gathered this week to observe Ashura, one of the most solemn commemorations in Shiite Islam. The annual ritual honors Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed in the 7th century Battle of Karbala, symbolizing resistance against oppression.

This year’s Ashura procession took place against the backdrop of extensive damage inflicted by recent Israeli airstrikes and ground operations targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite militant group. Nabatiyeh, a city of approximately 90,000 people and a historic center of Shiite business and culture, has been severely affected by weeks of fighting. The city’s main commercial district shows signs of destruction, with rubble, shattered storefronts, and damaged infrastructure marking the landscape. According to the Lebanese government’s National Council for Scientific Research, Nabatiyeh and its surrounding areas suffered the greatest devastation, with nearly 10,000 housing units destroyed or damaged during the conflict.

Residents who returned to the city under a tenuous ceasefire recited traditional chants referencing Karbala, drawing parallels between the historical battle and their current struggles. Hussein Nahleh, a 33-year-old architect whose home was destroyed, said the experience of Ashura this year represented a “victory of blood over the sword,” reflecting resilience despite the war’s toll. Local emergency responders, including the head of the Civil Defense, Hussein Faqih, described the ongoing challenges. Faqih noted the difficulty in operating amid uncertainty, as Israeli forces remained close to the city’s outskirts and sporadic attacks continued despite the ceasefire.

Originally, plans to hold Ashura in Nabatiyeh were uncertain due to security concerns. Mehdi Sadeq, head of the city’s Emergency Rescue Service, said that when the ceasefire held, enough residents returned for a modest ceremony. However, the scale of the event was a fraction of previous years’ gatherings, which normally drew tens of thousands of participants and featured widespread street processions and communal meals. This year’s observance took place amid ongoing fears of renewed Israeli strikes, which ultimately led organizers to move the main Ashura procession to Beirut.

The recent conflict represents another chapter in a protracted history of violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Following an incursion in October 2023 initiated by Hezbollah in support of Hamas’ attacks on Israel, Israel launched a counteroffensive that devastated parts of southern Lebanon and much of Hezbollah’s leadership. After a protracted period of tension and a truce last year, Hezbollah resumed attacks in March, leading to heavy casualties and further destruction. Lebanon has experienced over 4,000 deaths in this conflict, including civilians, women, children, and health workers, with more than triple that number wounded.

Analysts note that this cycle of conflict has left once vibrant towns with little left to return to, a stark contrast to previous wars where displaced residents were able to come back to their homes. The fighting also underscores the fragile state of peace negotiations between the United States and Iran, which have been disrupted by renewed hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Despite the damages and risks, the Ashura gathering served as a powerful expression of Shiite identity and endurance amid ongoing war fatigue. Participants reiterated their commitment to Hussein’s legacy of resistance, even as subsequent Israeli strikes demonstrated the continuing volatility of the region.