Chehabiyeh
Chehabiyeh, also spelled Shehabiya or ech-Chehabiye, is a village located in the South Governorate of Lebanon, located in the Tyre District. Chehabiyeh is home to a significant Shi'a Muslim population, consistent with most of southern Lebanon.
Chehabiyeh faces multiple challenges, including waste management issues and waste burning in local dumps.[1][2] Iranian-backed political party and militant group Hezbollah is active in the village, and in 2024, a senior member of the Redwan Force was killed in an airstrike.[3][4]
Name
The name "Chehabiyeh" (also spelled "Shehabiya" or "Ech Chehabiye") is derived from the Arabic word "الشهابية" (Ash-Shahābīyah). The name is linked to the Shihab dynasty, an Arab family that held significant influence in the region. The Shihab dynasty's name itself is derived from the Arabic word "شهاب" (Shihab), which means "shooting star" or "meteor."
Geography
The village is situated at an elevation of approximately 422 meters (1,385 feet) above sea level. Chehabiyeh is close to several other localities, including Kfar Dounin and Selaa. It is part of the Tyre District, which is one of the administrative divisions within the South Governorate.
History
On April 16, 2024, an airstrike in the area targeted and eliminated Muhammad Hussein Mustafa Sh'houri, a commander of the rocket and missile unit of Hezbollah's Redwan Force.[3][4]
Services
One of the prominent landmarks in the area is the Saint Peter Hospital, which serves as a key healthcare facility for the local population. The hospital is an important institution in the region, providing medical services to residents of Chehabiyeh and neighboring villages.[5][6]
The village is also home to a Catholic Church and a soccer field. Furthermore, the village is in proximity to several other localities and landmarks, including the UNP 9-1 military facility located approximately 3.5 kilometers northeast of Chehabiyeh. This facility is part of the United Nations peacekeeping operations in the region.
Infrastructural challenges
Chehabiyeh faces several infrastructural challenges, particularly in the areas of waste management and public services.
One of the critical issues in Chehabiyeh is waste management.[5] The village has struggled with inadequate resources and delayed disbursements from the central government, leading to reliance on open dumping and burning of waste. This practice has significant environmental and health implications for the local population. The municipality has sought support from international agencies and the central government to improve waste management facilities, but consistent financial and technical support remains a challenge.
Water infrastructure in Chehabiyeh has seen some improvements through international aid programs. For instance, the WISE-Lebanon program rehabilitated the Chehabiyeh pump station.[7]
Sources
- ^ Khawaja, Bassam (2017-12-01). ""As If You're Inhaling Your Death"". Human Rights Watch.
- ^ "The stench of garbage crisis returns to Lebanon". Al-Monitor. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
- ^ a b "Middle East updates: IDF strikes kill Hezbollah commanders – DW – 04/16/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
- ^ a b "Israel and Hezbollah: Fears of escalation after flurry of attacks". BBC. 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
- ^ a b “As If You’re Inhaling Your Death”: The Health Risks of Burning Waste in Lebanon | HRW
- ^ The stench of garbage crisis returns to Lebanon - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East
- ^ "Water Infrastructure Support and Enhancement for Lebanon (WISE-LEBANON); Completion report: October 2012 - December 2015" (PDF).