Conflicts between Israel and Lebanon have intensified over the past weeks, with the war in Gaza heightening tension between the two nations.

Days of bombing campaigns were launched by Israeli military forces near and within the capital of Lebanon, Beirut. These were in response to earlier attacks conducted by Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group, toward Israel. Attacks came to a climax when Israel invaded the nation on Monday.

With the ongoing turmoil, finance junior and LSA President Dina Younes said students "need the community more than ever."

Younes is from Michigan, but for international students coming from Lebanon to study here, she said this club and event can provide them with a space to connect with their heritage.

"The focus is making sure that students feel like they have a home away from home," Younes said.

Last year, the LSA also held a bracelet making event in solidarity with Palestine. Younes said she wanted to continue this as it allows for people to de-stress in the midst of everything.

Younes said she still has family in Lebanon, including her grandma. 

"I think a lot of us still have ties there, so I hope they’re doing OK," she said.

Additionally, some members are international students who only left Lebanon a month ago when the semester began, Younes explained.

"Seeing what's happening on the news is honestly really stressful, and it makes it difficult to focus at school," Younes said. "Focusing on other commitments, it's difficult. So having an event where people can just come to relax and be around people who understand what's happening, that’s the biggest reason why we do these."

Though just a single community gathered on campus last night, Younes said everyone on campus should pay attention to what's going on in the Middle East. As a business student, she said these conflicts can affect not just people but also businesses worldwide and global economics.

Even more so, Younes said she wants people to put themselves in Lebanese people’s shoes.

"If this could happen to this group of people, it could happen to anyone," she said. "That's why I feel like people should care in any way that they can. Whether it's donating, fundraising, or just spreading the word so people have their eyes on what's happening in the Middle East. I don't think it's right to just be on standby when this is happening."

Since these developments have been so recent, the university hasn’t had much time to react. But Younes would like to see some resources provided to those affected. 

Younes said the university provides funding to LSA for events like this, and would like to see more support through funding to host more students since they’re going through a period of hardship. She would also like to see the university communicate with students and provide resources to those affected, either directly or indirectly, by these conflicts, Younes said. 

"Because they're attending this institution, they should feel like resources are being given to them," she said, adding that resources for those impacted would show a sense of understanding from the university. 

Dina Shulaiba, a senior studying experience architecture and a member of LSA, came to support her Lebanese friends.

"Personally, I'm not Lebanese, but I did grow up in a predominantly Lebanese neighborhood," Shulaiba said "My best friend lives there. She's Lebanese, and most of my friends are Lebanese. So I do feel connected to the culture, the people."

Being Middle Eastern herself, Shulaiba said it is difficult to see the passiveness with which conflicts and tragedies in the Middle East are discussed.

"Day after day having friends experiencing the deaths of family members and expecting to keep going to class, keep doing their work and not really (being) allowed to speak about it because of how heavily censored and taboo the topic is," she said. “It’s added a lot of stress to the community."

Shulaiba said the university could do a better job of listening to their Middle Eastern and SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) students.

Near the end of the event, LSA secretary Marissa Habhab, a junior studying human resources and labor relations, said the turnout was great to see as they were able to provide people with a much-needed fun space.

"I think it was great that we can provide a destressing event," Habhab said. "I know a lot of people are really stressed out, really emotional right now, so to be able to provide a fun space for all of us to come together was really nice."

Habhab said LSA plans on discussing ways to support Lebanon through fundraising events to donate to organizations like the Lebanese Red Cross in the next eboard meeting.