Beirut: Amid the ongoing military escalation between Iran and Israel, fears are mounting in Lebanon that this conflict could spill over and disrupt vital services, particularly in the pharmaceutical and fuel sectors. This comes as Lebanese officials continue to stress the country's commitment to staying neutral and avoiding any direct involvement in the regional conflict.
According to Qatar News Agency, many in Lebanon are now questioning whether the country is on the brink of being drawn into another war, even as the official stance remains firm: Lebanon cannot bear the consequences of a new regional confrontation. While the Lebanese government has openly condemned Israel's aggression against Iran, it continues to insist that Lebanon must not be part of this war.
Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun echoed this sentiment, stating that they must do everything in their power to keep Lebanon out of conflicts they have no role in and no connection to. Similarly, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri emphasized that Lebanon will not go to war, as it has nothing to gain and everything to lose. He noted that Iran does not need Lebanon's support, whereas Israel is the one pushing to expand the battlefield.
Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam also strongly condemned the Israeli assault on Iran, calling it a violation of international law and Iranian sovereignty. He warned of its dangerous implications for regional and global stability. He underscored the importance of preserving calm, especially in southern Lebanon, and preventing Lebanon from being dragged into the heart of a wider conflict. He pointed out that Lebanon's fragile economic recovery cannot withstand the repercussions of another war in which it has no stake.
According to Lebanese analysts, Hezbollah has so far shown no signs of resuming military operations against Israel. They reference the group's official statement issued earlier in June, which limited itself to condemnation and made no mention of field engagement or escalation. Despite Lebanon's non-involvement in the current hostilities, public anxiety is growing over the potential fallout on daily life, particularly regarding access to medications in the local market.
There are growing concerns about a potential medicine shortage, whether due to disrupted supply chains or increased demand for essential and life-saving drugs amid the tense regional climate. Some pharmacies across various regions in Lebanon have witnessed a surge in customers seeking to stockpile vital medications. However, this uptick has not yet reached panic-buying levels, and there have been no actual shortages reported thus far.
In a statement to QNA's Beirut correspondent, President of the Lebanese Pharmacists Syndicate, Dr. Joe Salloum, confirmed that there is no current medication crisis in Lebanon stemming from the Iran-Israel escalation. Salloum said that the pharmaceutical situation is stable for now, citing the country's significant stockpile of medications, continued imports, and uninterrupted local production.
On another front, fears are also rising over the potential increase in fuel prices or disruptions in supply if the conflict escalates and spreads to Lebanese territory. In a statement to QNA, spokesperson for Lebanon's fuel distributors, Fadi Abou Chakra, said that distribution is continuing normally, with fuel being received from importing companies and delivered to stations across the country. However, he warned that a fresh escalation could trigger a fuel crisis, particularly if vital infrastructure comes under threat.
Since October 8, 2023, Lebanon endured continuous Israeli attacks, which escalated into a wide-scale offensive that reached various parts of the country until a ceasefire went into effect. This aggression left more than 4,000 people dead and over 16,000 injured, including children and women, in addition to massive material destruction. Since the ceasefire, Lebanon recorded around 3,000 violations by Israel, resulting in over 200 deaths and 500 injuries.
A report released by the World Bank in March estimated the economic cost of the conflict in Lebanon at around 14 billion USD. Of this, 6.8 billion USD accounts for physical damages, while losses from decreased productivity, revenue, and operational costs amount to 7.2 billion USD. The report also projected that post-conflict reconstruction and recovery needs would require approximately 11 billion USD, according to Lebanon's 2025 Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment.
At this critical juncture, Lebanon stands at a precarious crossroads - torn between a unified official stance to remain neutral in conflicts that do not concern it, and a growing sense of public unease driven by ongoing Israeli aggression and deepening economic and social pressures. Despite reassurances that vital supply chains remain intact for now, this stability is fragile and susceptible to shifts in the volatile regional landscape. Between caution and anticipation, hopes rest on the possibility that the coming days might bring calm and relief - offering Lebanon a chance to avert deeper hardship and avoid being pulled further into turmoil.