Life in Lebanon marches forward even as the region faces the possibility of war. Delve into the stories of individuals maintaining their daily routines amid chaos.
Despite the Israeli airstrike that claimed the life of Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur and six others last week, businesses operated as usual and traffic congestion persisted in Dahiyeh, a southern Beirut district. The affected building remained adjacent to routine activities.
Saad Baydoun was assessing the harm inflicted on his nearby stores, which provided internet and sound systems.
“Everything I had was in this place – my beloved home, now destroyed. My family and I were facing certain death until a new life was granted to us by God’s grace. Even both of my shops lay in ruins, along with my car,” he shared solemnly.
Forced to relocate, his spouse and kids had no choice but to reside with relatives residing in a different area of Beirut.
Baydoun said that there was nothing left for him, but he expressed gratitude towards having understood the struggles of the people in Gaza by undergoing 1% of what they bear.
The recent slayings of Hamas politician Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran and Hezbollah commander Shukur in Beirut – both allegedly by Israel – have escalated the tension within the region.
Israel has been preparing for an anticipated response from Iran and its affiliated militias.
A few inhabitants of Dahiyeh, which houses Hezbollah’s center and administration, claimed that they were relocating to different regions within Beirut.
Israel’s targeting of Hezbollah members during the 2006 war with Lebanon resulted in decimation of the neighborhood.
According to Hezbollah lawmaker Amin Sherri, the Lebanese government has prepared an emergency strategy in case of a full-blown war. He further stated that they have adequate fuel and medicine supplies that can sustain them for two to four months.
32 tons of medical equipment and medicine were received by Health Minister Firass Abiad, acting as caretaker, on Monday from the World Health Organization. These supplies are intended for readiness in anticipation of any potential conflict.
According to Sherri, Israel’s next moves were highly uncertain.
Two of the over 70 individuals injured in last week’s airstrike are presently receiving medical attention at Bahman Hospital situated near the targeted building.
Mohammed Fadlallah is among them, having endured a broken leg and the tragic loss of his 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. Meanwhile, his older son remains hospitalized in Beirut receiving treatment for burns.
From his hospital bed, he stated, “In the face of those being annihilated in Palestine, we are insignificant. The conflict boils down to a battle between what is just and unjust.”
The head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah has pledged to take revenge over the death of Shukur. The latter was responsible for leading Hezbollah’s troops stationed on the southern border with Israel and held a high-ranking position in their missile initiative.
For the past 10 months, Israel and Hezbollah have been engaging in almost daily attacks while fighting continues to rage on in Gaza. However, both sides had managed to keep things at a relatively low-key level without any major escalation leading up to full-blown war.
