Amid the escalation in the intensity of military actions, the impact of recent field developments continues to loom over the capital, Beirut, after the scope of the raids expanded to include the southern suburbs and large areas in the south, prompting thousands of residents to flee towards safer areas within the capital.
The Bechara Al-Khoury area, up to the vicinity of Basta and the main roads, witnessed a large displacement movement, as the streets were crowded with cars in a scene that recalled memories of previous wars. Long queues of vehicles formed, while cars stopped in the middle of the roads and even on the highways, causing severe traffic congestion in many vital streets in Beirut.
The area surrounding Basta includes a number of government schools that opened their doors to receive the displaced, and were transformed into temporary shelter centers that receive families coming from the southern villages and the southern suburbs. One of the Husseiniyas in the area received a large number of displaced people who took refuge there in search of safety.
The displacement movement extended to schools and neighborhoods in the areas of Al-Tariq Al-Jadidah, Khandaq Al-Ghamiq, Sikat Al-Blat, Burj Abi Haidar, and Al-Basta Al-Fawqa and Al-Tahta, as these areas received an increasing number of families fleeing the bombing areas.
In this context, a number of displaced people expressed their fear of the coming days, stressing that the message repeated on the lips of many was clear: “We are tired of death,” in reference to the repetition of the scene of displacement and suffering with every round of escalation.
On the other hand, Israeli statements continue at an increasing pace, as the Israeli army issued warnings to residents who left their homes not to return at the present time “for their safety,” according to what it announced. Statements were also issued by Israeli officials in which they talked about the continuation of operations for several days, while accusing Hezbollah of opening a new front and igniting the confrontation.
This comes after the military operation carried out by Hezbollah at night, which was a surprise to many, especially in light of previous positions that spoke of not engaging in any new military confrontation. However, developments on the ground quickly changed the scene, and once again plunged Lebanon into an open spiral of escalation.
