On March 2, the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah launched a drone and rocket attack against Israel in retaliation for the joint Israeli-US offensive against Iran in late February. Israel responded with massive attacks in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and the southern suburbs of Beirut, all considered strongholds of the movement.
The Israeli military ordered residents in the south of the country to evacuate north of the Litani River. In response, hundreds of thousands of people have fled to areas further north, including Sidon, Mount Lebanon, Beirut and the northern Bekaa Valley, with some traveling as far as Tripoli and northern Lebanon. Images circulating on social media show scenes of chaotic traffic congestion.
As the number of internally displaced people has steadily increased since the start of the Israeli attacks (surpassing 800,000 on March 13), shelters established by the Lebanese government, including schools, universities and stadiums, have proven insufficient.
Many of the displaced are now forced to sleep on the streets or in their cars. This is largely due to the dramatic rise in housing costs since the start of the war. According to the media outlet L’Orient-Le JourRental prices have increased by between 100% and 200%, as opportunistic landlords seek to profit from the crisis.
‘There is not a single place for less than $1,500 a month’
Jana resides in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahieh, which is now almost completely deserted following mass evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army. She said:
“When we fled during the first night of the Dahieh bombing, we were forced to leave everything behind. Our first stop was a school in Tariq El Jdideh (a Beirut neighborhood), but there was nothing there: no electricity, no mattresses, no blankets.
On the second day we had to move in with relatives. We are still staying with them, but we are trying to find an apartment of our own because it is so small.
Unfortunately, we haven’t found anything. There isn’t a single place for less than $1,500 a month. Additionally, landlords require six months’ rent in advance.
Three members of our family were employed; Now, due to the conflict, only one of us is working.
We simply cannot afford these prices. “The situation is serious.”
A displaced man explained that he sleeps on the floor, while his children, including babies, sleep in the car. Inside the vehicle are some clothes, a gallon of water and some blankets that, according to him, were borrowed from others. Story compiled by Soulaimane Bakbach for the France Medias Monde regional center in Beirut
According to reports from lebanese mediaSome landlords refuse to rent homes to Shiite families, fearing that their presence could trigger Israeli airstrikes if they are suspected of having ties to Hezbollah.
In certain Christian neighborhoods, including Jounieh and Karm al-Zeitoun in east Beirut, as well as areas in Mount Lebanon, landowners have ordered displaced Shiite residents to leave, fearing retaliatory attacks.
Mohamed is originally from the southern city of Tyre.
“We fled Tire towards Beirut. We stayed in a hotel. We have no idea when this will end or what will become of us. I don’t know how much longer we can stay here; my father is retired and I am the sole breadwinner for my family. We are looking for help.”
‘We have no home left, and there is no one to welcome us
Several municipalities, particularly in Christian or mixed areas such as Keserwan, Mount Lebanon, Jounieh and East Beirut, are imposing increasingly strict restrictions on families seeking housing.
Local circulars issued in cities such as Bhannine, Kfardebian and Faraya now require landlords to formally notify municipalities of new rentals and provide identification to all tenants. Police checks are also being carried out to ensure that Hezbollah members are not hiding among the displaced population.
Karen, a displaced resident of Tyre, says she has no choice but to sleep in her car.
“We fled Tyre, heading first to Ansariyah and then to Babliyeh (about 25 kilometers north). From there we continued north.
We have no home left, and there is no one to welcome us. Whenever we find a rental, the price is at least $1,000 a month.
We are going to sleep in our car, even if we don’t feel safe. It’s our only option. At the end of the day, we need to buy food; We have to save the little money we have to be able to buy food.
We simply cannot afford high rent. “This whole situation is incredible.”
He NGO Care International reports that families in Beirut are forced to sleep on the streets and burn garbage to stay warm, especially during the biting cold at night.
Riad, who fled his home in Deir ez-Zahrani in Nabatieh governorate in southern Lebanon, said:
“Like so many others, we headed north in search of a place to live. We spent the first night in the car, the six of us. Only two of us work. We have to find a house, even if it is very expensive. We simply have no other option.”
Given the severity of the crisis, the think tank Public Works Study has called on the government to urgently requisition empty public buildings and private homes for displaced people, who are estimated to make up 20% of Beirut’s population. Additionally, the group urged authorities to implement rent control measures.
Stories collected by Carla Samaha, FRANCE 24 correspondent in Beirut.
