Heroes do not depart; they are immortalized in the pages of glory, and the echoes of their sacrifices continue to resonate throughout Zahle, telling future generations the story of legendary resilience and unwavering determination. Martyrs of Zahle, you who crafted the epic of honor with your blood, stood like rocks against the storms, refusing to break, raising the banner of dignity high above the walls of your proud city. You are the light that illuminated the darkness of hardship, the sword that carved the path to freedom. Because of you, Zahle remains towering, defiant against tyranny, free and unyielding.

Those who call themselves staunch “resistance advocates” bombard us with the claim that the Lebanese army is incapable of protecting the homeland. Consequently, they argue that what is referred to as “the resistance” is an absolute necessity, with no alternative in the matter of repelling enemy aggression. It is as if these individuals are on a journey outside of history and geography, detached from unfolding events, indulging in fervent appearances with populist rhetoric that fuels their supportive environment, all while chanting, “At your service, O Resistance!”

Coinciding with the 44th anniversary of the Battle of Zahle, during which the people of the city made it clear to the Syrian regime at the time that “Zahle is not a journey,” “the party” is now attempting to provoke the residents of the area—and the Lebanese in general—with outdated provocations. Specifically, a branch of the “Whish Money” store chain in Zahle recently displayed a banner on its storefront bearing the slogan “Indeed, the party is victorious,” sparking outrage among locals, who immediately took it down.