Displaced in Lebanon: ‘Lives turned upside down’

More than 1.1 million Lebanese have been forced to leave their homes as fighting intensifies in the southern regions and Israeli air strikes target suburbs of Beirut. Amid the chaos, DW spoke with a family attempting to hold onto a semblance of routine. Fatme A., a mother of three, finds solace in the Azarieh buildings, a once-bustling commercial hub in central Beirut now serving as a makeshift refuge for hundreds of displaced citizens. Approximately 250 households reside here, sheltered in tents and cramped spaces, relying on aid organizations for water, food, and basic supplies.

The cramped conditions make privacy a luxury. Fatme prefers staying inside her tent, even avoiding the communal bathroom due to the discomfort of being watched. “You have to queue and everybody looks at you,” she says in a

blockquote>blockquote>. “I get embarrassed.” Her tent, filled with belongings carried from Ouzai—a densely populated neighborhood in Dahiyeh—houses her husband, their 7-year-old daughter, and her mother. The family shares limited space, a stark contrast to their former life.

Fatme’s husband, a carpenter, has become a vital figure in the community. He repairs tents, organizes supplies, and helps others adapt to the new reality. Despite the hardships, he managed to secure two tents for their family, a small victory in a time of uncertainty. Yet, the nights are fraught with fear. “The explosions are so loud,” Fatme tells DW. “Many here sleep fully dressed, unsure if the next strike will come.”

A Changing Conflict Landscape

The Iran-Iran war has reached Beirut some time ago, and its reach is expanding. Israeli forces now target areas beyond traditional conflict zones, including parts of the city once considered safe. This shift has led to the destruction of homes near the border, with plans to establish a buffer zone stretching up to the Litani River—about 30 kilometers from the Israeli-Lebanese frontier. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that this zone will remain under Israeli control even after the war concludes.

Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa criticized these moves, calling them an “attempt to impose a new occupation” and displace thousands. A joint statement from 10 European foreign ministers and EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas urged Israel to respect Lebanon’s territorial integrity. However, for locals like Fatme, these assurances offer little comfort. “We fled [our homes], but there’s nowhere truly safe,” she explains. “There’s nothing more we can do.”

The Heart of Dahiyeh

Only weeks ago, Fatme and her family lived in Ouzai, part of Dahiyeh—a neighborhood that has long been a hub of migration and resilience. Over decades, Dahiyeh has grown as people moved there for affordability, fleeing the rising costs of Beirut’s core or seeking refuge from war, political instability, or inadequate state support. While outsiders often view Dahiyeh as a Hezbollah stronghold, its residents see it as a vibrant, everyday community filled with life and activity.