Displacement Crisis in Beirut: Civilians Coped Amid Israel-Hezbollah War
- A large number of people have been displaced from southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs due to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
- Local theaters, including Le Colisee, have been converted into shelters, providing refuge to families while also causing increased congestion in the region.
- The presence of displaced individuals has revitalized commerce in Hamra Street, but it has also introduced significant disorder and challenges for local residents.
Lebanon is experiencing a massive displacement of people due to the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war, with many fleeing from southern Lebanon, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. Affected individuals, including Lebanese, Palestinians, and Syrians, have sought refuge in various locations, transforming once-empty venues like the Le Colisee cinema in Hamra Street into temporary shelters. This area, a historically vibrant commercial hub, is now overwhelmed with individuals seeking refuge, leading to chaos, traffic congestion, and challenges for pedestrians. The influx of hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals has both revitalized commerce in Hamra Street after years of economic decline due to Lebanon's financial crisis, and introduced significant disorder. Local businesses had faced impending shutdowns before the arrival of displaced people, but their presence has brought unexpected change, highlighting the tensions between the temporary economic benefit and the social challenges that the district now faces. In a remarkable turn of events, Kassem Istanbouli, a Lebanese actor and theater founder, has repurposed his theaters in Beirut and Tripoli into shelters for the displaced. Many occupants, including families who fled their homes due to rocket attacks, now reside in these spaces. The former cinema patrons have transformed into a community of displaced residents, participating in renovations and supporting one another while navigating the ongoing crisis. As the situation unfolds, the long-term implications for Hamra Street’s commercial landscape and the societal dynamics of Lebanon remain uncertain, reflecting the complex interplay of war, displacement, and economic hardship.