The disruption is used as negotiating leverage by the unions, which know that parents will besiege school districts with calls begging them to settle.

WSJ: Striking Against Students

Some Arsaal residents and Sunni politicians believe Mr. Hmayyed was killed in order to draw the army into a confrontation with Arsaal residents and then besiege the town, cutting off a vital supply route for Syrian rebels while securing Hezbollah control of the area.

WSJ: As Syrian Crisis Intensifies, Fight Bleeds Into Lebanon