Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Israel - Gaza.
How Lebanon’s Dahieh Neighborhood Faces Devastation Amid Ongoing Conflict
The recent Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah rocked Beirut, sending shockwaves that reverberated far beyond the targeted site. In the densely populated suburb of Dahieh, located in southern Beirut, residents like Mehdi Moussawi and his family found their lives shattered as bombs rained down on their homes and neighborhoods.
Dahieh, a suburb of over half a million people, has become a frequent target in the conflict due to its ties to Hezbollah, the powerful Iran backed political and paramilitary group. Over the years, the region has borne the brunt of Israeli airstrikes as Hezbollah continues to operate from within its borders. The group’s stronghold status has made it a repeated focal point for military action, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.
A Community Uprooted
Mehdi, a 45 year old taxi driver, and his wife Zahraa vividly recall the night their building was nearly destroyed by an Israeli strike. Sitting in Beirut's Martyrs’ Square, now an improvised shelter for displaced families, the couple watched in horror as their home was engulfed in smoke and dust. They were fortunate to escape with their lives, but their apartment and all their belongings were severely damaged.
Dahieh has been hit hard, with over 65 airstrikes reported, according to satellite imagery and video footage. Many of these strikes destroyed not just the targeted buildings but also adjacent homes and infrastructure. The area’s residents, now homeless, have been forced to flee. For some, this isn’t the first time they’ve been displaced by war.
Zahraa wept as she recounted seeing footage of their apartment building reduced to rubble. "We have nothing left," she said, expressing the helplessness many families are feeling. The suburb, once a bustling residential area, now resembles a war zone, with shops, businesses, and homes devastated by the relentless bombardment.
A Divided Community
Dahieh is often characterized as a Hezbollah stronghold, but the suburb is home to a diverse community with varying political affiliations. Many residents, particularly those who are not Shia Muslims, have grown increasingly frustrated with Hezbollah’s role in the conflict. Mohaned Khalaf, a Sunni Muslim who fled from his home in Burj El Brajneh, one of the hardest-hit areas in Dahieh, spoke about the ongoing destruction. "There is no life left there," he said. "Not a single person remains."
While some residents blame Hezbollah for bringing destruction to their doorstep, others continue to support the group. Hezbollah has provided displaced Shia families with food and financial assistance, reinforcing its strong base among its core supporters. "We support Hezbollah now just as we did before," said Gharib Ali, a Shia janitor who fled the suburb. "This war only strengthens our support."
However, not all Shia residents feel the same. Mehdi and Zahraa, who have lived in Dahieh for decades, expressed their frustration with Hezbollah. "Dahieh is not Hezbollah. We are not Hezbollah," Zahraa said. Their building was targeted despite having no affiliation with the group, and their lives have been turned upside down by a war they feel they didn’t ask for.
Civilians Caught in the Crossfire
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have issued warnings on social media ahead of some strikes, but many residents say these warnings have been insufficient. Some alerts came with as little as 30 minutes' notice, often in the dead of night, leaving little time for civilians to evacuate. International humanitarian law requires effective advance warnings before strikes that may impact civilians, but many Dahieh residents claim they received no warning at all.
Human rights organizations have criticized both Israel and Hezbollah for endangering civilian lives. Hezbollah's practice of embedding military operations within civilian areas puts residents at significant risk, but critics argue that this does not justify Israel’s extensive use of force in such densely populated regions.
Lebanese officials estimate that more than 2,400 people have been killed across the country in the past year, with over 1.2 million displaced. Israel, which has suffered its own losses, claims its airstrikes are necessary to protect its citizens from rocket fire coming from Lebanon. The conflict, however, has led to immense suffering on both sides of the border.
A History of Destruction
This is not the first time Dahieh has been severely impacted by war. During the 2006 conflict, Israeli airstrikes devastated much of the suburb, and it has never fully recovered. Despite international pressure, including from the United States, Israel’s recent escalation has been described as going beyond what is known as the "Dahieh doctrine" a military strategy that calls for disproportionate force against civilian areas to turn the population against Hezbollah.
However, experts suggest that Israel’s tactics are unlikely to erode support for Hezbollah in Shia communities. "Whenever Israel strikes like this, it only solidifies support for Hezbollah among the Shia population," said Amal Saad, a political expert on Hezbollah. The aftermath of the 2006 war saw Hezbollah’s popularity soar, and the current conflict may have a similar effect.
Looking Ahead: Rebuilding Amid the Ruins
After weeks of airstrikes, there was a brief pause following U.S. diplomatic pressure, allowing some Dahieh residents to return to assess the damage. But hopes for lasting peace were short lived. Just days later, the bombing resumed, and families like Mehdi’s remain uncertain about their future.
For now, Mehdi, Zahraa, and their children sleep under makeshift shelters, waiting for a ceasefire that may or may not come. Despite the destruction, they remain determined to return and rebuild their lives, even if it means starting from scratch once again. "We have no choice," Mehdi said. "We will go back when the ceasefire comes."
Until then, the buzzing of Israeli drones overhead serves as a constant reminder of the precariousness of life in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where war is never far from the horizon.
