Two men were discussing the recent Israeli attack that resulted in the death of a senior Hezbollah operative just over a kilometer away from where they were standing in the Palestinian refugee camp at Burj al-Barajneh.
Israeli attacks had previously devastated the areas around the camp, which are located in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The camps were not directly hit, but nearby bunker buster bombs had shook the nearby structures so badly that many people feared they might collapse.
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Many in this country were apprehensive after a year of conflict when Hezbollah and Israel agreed to a ceasefire last November, even though Israeli attacks continue in the south and parts of the eastern Bekaa Valley. Many people in the nation are concerned that another intensification may occur as a result of Sunday’s attack, though.
A man in his mid-30s rang his neighbor and said, “Do you think they’ll start a wider war?” ”
The other, a sassy man with gray hair, shrugged indignantly. Before turning around and entering his apartment, he pleaded, “May God protect us.”
Suicide would be used in retaliation.
Lebanon was left with a lot of scars by the war last year.
During the ceasefire, Israel severely damaged many of the southernmost villages, while others were completely destroyed. Since October 2023, more than 4,000 people have died in Lebanon, most recently in September and November, and more than 1% have been killed. There were 2 million displacements. Even a year later, many have not yet returned to their homes. According to the World Bank, Israel left Lebanon with reconstruction and recovery needs of about $11 billion.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese political and military organization, was also severely damaged by the war. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) plan was approved by the government in August, under the pressure of the United States and Israel. The group has, however, rejected calls for its disarmament because of Israel’s inability to uphold its side of the ceasefire. More than 120 civilians have been killed since last year’s ceasefire was announced, and Israel has not withdrawn from at least five of the areas it controls in south Lebanon.
In addition, this most recent attack was carried out as a result of Israeli government warnings and reports of Lebanon’s military expansion. Hezbollah is reportedly regrouping, and Israeli officials accuse the Lebanese government and LAF of failing to intervene quickly enough to disarm the organization.
Mahmoud Qomati, a senior Hezbollah official, claimed the party’s leadership was considering a response and that the most recent strike had “red lines.”
However, analysts claim that the organization is not currently positioned to attack Israel. The Shia Muslim community in Lebanon, which receives the majority of its support from Israel, also suffered from Israel’s attacks, which are indiscriminate, and many fear the start of the war.
Hezbollah would commit suicide with no military or political value, according to Lebanese analyst and writer Michael Young. Young claimed that the Israelis may be “overplaying the threat” of Hezbollah’s regrouping and allowing themselves to choose what kind of retaliation they want.
We are accustomed to this, it says.
President Joseph Aoun stated last Friday that Lebanon and Israel would participate in international negotiations. Israel’s attack of last Sunday wasn’t enough to stop it.
Many people in Lebanon are now extremely worried about another round of intense Israeli attacks due to the current circumstances.
According to Khaled Muhanaya, a Syrian man who lives in Beirut’s Basta neighborhood, which was the site of numerous Israeli attacks last year, “things are very bad, unfortunately.” People are concerned about Israel starting a new war. ”
I’m concerned that my family will ever get hurt. My kids are hesitant to go to bed alone. ”
Some locals displayed bravado in the Burj al-Barajneh in response to more attacks.
As he sat outside his barbershop, Ali, a man in his mid-20s, said, “We are used to this.
When Israel struck the Haret Hreik neighborhood on Sunday, Ali was at his shop. He claimed that the attack wasn’t as loud as the region’s war of the previous year.
People speculating that Israel might target other camps, including Burj al-Barajneh, were the victims of the recent Israeli attack on Lebanon’s largest refugee camp, Ein el-Hilweh, according to Ali and others.
The south’s “practically empty” regions
However, south Lebanon suffered the most damage from the war, and it continues to do so.
Locals still have no access to certain areas of the south. Israeli military agression, including gunfire fired from the five occupied areas, has stifled attempts to enter these areas.
In a southern town called al-Habbariyeh, where seven young first responders were killed by an Israeli attack in March 2024, Ali Noureddine is from. He claimed for Al Jazeera that his town is full of people who have fled their homes from nearby border towns.
There are some essentially empty areas in the south, Noureddine said.
He claimed that drones and warplanes are seen in the air both day and night.
However, some places have returned and begun to rebuild their lives. Many people have invested money in home repairs. That doesn’t, however, mean they are no longer afraid.
He claimed that “people are afraid at night.” not just from airstrikes. They fear that Israeli forces will re-enter at any time. ”
Lebanon frequently hosts war-related discussions. Some southerners say they won’t leave their land once more this time, suggesting there should be an even worse war. Many people have spent the rest of their money on home reconstruction or repair. Others dread having to endure conditions like those in shelters or tents during the war.
Because they suffered a lot during the war, Noureddine said, “People are afraid of the idea that they will leave again.”
Source: Aljazeera
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