Arnoun (, Syriac-Aramaic: ܐܪܢܘܢ) is a municipality south-east of Nabatieh, in Nabatieh Governorate, southern Lebanon. The village is located approximately from the Israeli border. The village is approximately 550 metres (1,800 feet) above sea level, and approximately one kilometre (0.62 miles) from the Beaufort Castle.
History Arnoun is linked to the nearby Beaufort Castle. The town's name is derived from the Aramaic arnoun, meaning "little top", referring to the highland where the Beaufort Castle stands. The castle itself was referred to as Qal'at Shqif Arnoun (Aramaic: the castle of the high rock on the hill), from which the town took its name.
In 1875 Victor Guérin noted that it contained one hundred "Metualis".Guérin 1880, p. 521
Modern era After the establishment of the Israeli Security Zone in southern Lebanon in 1985, Arnoun lay just outside its boundaries, although, from its position at the Beaufort Castle, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) effectively controlled the village.
Israeli security zone, 1999–2000 Most of Arnoun's roughly 2,000 residents left in November 1998 as Hezbollah activity increased, and the IDF demolished around 22 houses in the village over the following months. On 17 February 1999, Israeli troops fenced off Arnoun and laid minefields around it, saying this was meant to curb Hezbollah guerrilla infiltration. About 35 residents remained with limited access. Israel maintained the village was already inside the security zone, not newly annexed. "Israeli jets attack, troops seize village in south Lebanon", CNN, April 16, 1999 (accessed September 6, 2006) Hezbollah then killed a South Lebanon Army (SLA) militiaman in Jezzine and, on 22/23 February, three IDF officers in an ambush.Middle East International No 594, 26 February 1999; Michael Jansen p.12
On 28 February, around 2,000 students and local demonstrators broke through the fence, and bulldozers reopened access the next day.Middle East International No 595, 13 March 1999; Michael Jansen pp.7-8 The IDF held off retaking Arnoun despite its position over the supply road to the Israeli military position at Beaufort Castle.Middle East International No 596, 26 March 1999; Michael Jansen p.9 On the night of 15 April, Israeli forces re-entered and refenced the village, installing an SLA checkpoint at the entrance. Troops opened fire on approaching journalists the next day, wounding one.Middle East International No 598, 23 April 1999; Michael Jansen pp.14-16 The IDF withdrew from Arnoun on 24 May 2000 as part of its broader pullout from southern Lebanon.
Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present) During the ongoing Hezbollah–Israel conflict, Arnoun has been subject to several attacks. On 16 November 2024, six people were injured in a drone attack.
Demographics In 2014 Muslims made up 99.30% of registered voters in Arnoun. 97.93% of the voters were Shiite Muslims.
Notable residents Fouad Ajami (1945–2014), Lebanese-born American university professor and writer on Middle Eastern issues "The Native Informant", Adam Schatz, The Nation, April 28, 2003 (accessed August 23, 2016) Borhane Alaouié, film director
References
Bibliography
External links
Arnoun, Localiban