Esperanza Ghandour was a school principal, and now she’s gone. Never forget her. X
On Monday, July 6, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) launched a drone strike on a vehicle in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, southern Lebanon, killing Esperanza Ghandour, principal of Youssef Chamoun School, her mother, and two other workers whose identities were not released. One was reported to be a domestic worker, while the other was a Syrian worker.
According to reports, Ghandour was returning to her family's home with her mother and the two workers to inspect repairs to their war-damaged house. Israel claimed the vehicle posed a threat to its forces. The strike was reportedly the deadliest attack in Lebanon that week.
Lebanese lawmaker Hussein al-Hajj, head of the Baalbek-Hermel Parliamentary Bloc, criticized the Lebanese government for abandoning its citizens and failing to condemn the killing of civilians or file complaints against Israel during the so-called ceasefire. His remarks came after Israeli forces shelled Nabatieh on July 6.
In a video statement addressed to Lebanon's president and prime minister, al-Hajj said: "This calls for a complaint to the Security Council... or has Lebanese blood become that cheap?"
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Her death was widely reported in Lebanese and international media as a significant loss to the education sector. The Association of Public School Teachers in Lebanon described Ghandour as a "virtuous educator."
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The advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace
also condemned the attack, posting on X:
"The Israeli military continues to carry out deadly drone strikes and demolish entire neighborhoods in southern Lebanon despite the so-called ceasefire."
The organization added that an Israeli drone strike near Nabatieh killed kindergarten principal Esperanza Fakhri Ghandour, her mother, a Syrian worker, and another foreign domestic worker, concluding its post with the statement: "There is no ceasefire!"
https://x.com/jvplive/status/2074480604477878464?s=20
Hezbollah Targets Israeli Soldiers; Israel Retaliates in Civilian Areas
The Israeli Occupation Forces continue to conduct drone strikes and demolish neighborhoods in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreement. While Hezbollah says it targets Israeli military personnel, critics argue that Israeli retaliatory strikes have repeatedly hit civilian areas, destroying homes, vehicles, and other civilian infrastructure and causing civilian casualties.
Israel Says It Will Not Withdraw from Lebanon
According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israel rejects the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) reportedly signed on June 17, 2026, between the United States and Iran. Both officials have publicly stated that Israeli forces intend to maintain a military presence in parts of Lebanon. Critics argue that such a policy risks prolonging the conflict and increasing suffering on both sides.
Lebanon's War Toll
According to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health:
- 4,274 people have been killed.
- 12,196 others have been injured.
- Tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged.
- Israeli forces had destroyed approximately 36,000 homes as of early 2026.
Doctors and Medical Workers Killed
According to The Lancet, one of the world's oldest and most respected medical journals, Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reports that since the Israeli military campaign began on March 2, 2026, 133 healthcare workers have been killed and 402 injured. The casualties include doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical personnel.
The Ministry says Israeli attacks have struck hospitals, medical facilities, and ambulance crews. Middle East Eye has also reported allegations that ambulances were repeatedly targeted while carrying out rescue operations. International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on medical personnel and healthcare facilities. Human rights organizations argue that these attacks have severely damaged Lebanon's healthcare system and displaced more than 1.2 million people.
Journalists Killed Since October 7, 2023
According to El PIAS English:
- Gaza: 260 journalists killed
- Yemen: 31 journalists killed
- Lebanon: 15 journalists killed
Iran: 4 journalists killed
The pain caused by the deaths of Esperanza Ghandour, her mother, and the two workers does not end with their loss. It continues to be felt by their families, friends, colleagues, students, and communities, who must now live with the consequences of their deaths.
Caption for additional photo: First responders inspect the wreckage of a car targeted by an Israeli strike in Nabatieh on July 6, 2026. Photo credit: Asharq Al Awsat
- Mahmoud El-Yousseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice.
