Cash-strapped Lebanese trapped at home as Israel war looms

Ali*, a 28-year-old resident of Sarafand, a southern village just 10 km south of Sidon, is grappling with how to protect his seven family members if war breaks out. As the eldest among his siblings, he's aware of his responsibility to find a suitable shelter. 

"I need to find an apartment that can accommodate all of us in the long term, a smaller one just won't cut it," Ali told The New Arab.

"We would prefer to rely on our faith in God and face the unknown in the comfort of our own home rather than be homeless and humiliated"

As a software engineer, Ali initially believed his income could secure a comfortable apartment in typically "safe" areas, often located in the north or up in the mountains. However, his search has left him startled and disheartened.

"A two-bedroom apartment for $2600 a month is simply out of the question!" he noted.

He says he is now exploring more budget-friendly alternatives before time runs out.

Another growing concern of his is the possibility of some family members feeling compelled to stay and engage in the fight.

"I do not have the heart to leave my father and brothers if they choose to stay, but I also can't abandon the rest of my family," he stated.

Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza following the surprise attacks by Hamas on October 7, tensions along Lebanon's southern borders, particularly between Hezbollah and Israel, have led to increased anxiety about a potential war similar to the 2006 war between the two countries.

This has led to skyrocketing rent prices as landlords take advantage of people fleeing their homes, as well as mounting concerns about food shortages and job security, which have prompted people to formulate emergency plans in light of the increasing uncertainty and fear.

Several residents of towns along the southern Lebanese border have already evacuated their homes in the initial days of war, seeking shelter in schools and leaving many villages and towns deserted.

As the border clashes persist and intensify, residents of Beirut, particularly in the southern suburbs (Dahye), known as a Hezbollah stronghold that bore large destruction during the 2006 war with Israel, have also started devising evacuation plans.

For 26-year-old Zahraa*, who is a resident of the Burj Al Barajneh neighbourhood in Dahye, the options are nearly non-existent.

"Our extended family resides either in the south or in Dahye, so there's nowhere else for us to go," she told The New Arab.

Her job as a copy editor does not offer her the luxury of renting in the so-called "secure areas," typically situated in Christian or Druze neighbourhoods that are less likely to be targeted by Israel.

"A friend of mine mentioned he rented a single room in the mountains to shelter his family, for $1000 per month, when it used to be $500 prior to the conflict," she recounted.

Zahraa notes that there is a glaring class issue in Lebanon, where only the wealthy can seek proper shelter while the rest are condemned to suffering and death.

"Similarly to 2006, our only shelter would be to stay in our home, as our parents are opposed to leaving," she added. "We would prefer to rely on our faith in God and face the unknown in the comfort of our own home rather than be homeless and humiliated."

Adnan Najjar, a freelance accountant from Bekaa, shares a similar sentiment. His family resides in the Chimistar village of Bekaa, which was a target of Israeli shelling in 2006.

Despite having a rented apartment in a predominantly Christian neighbourhood of Beirut, where his family would join him in case of war, he remains cautious, fearing that non-Hezbollah areas might be targeted as well.

"We lack the financial means to rent a new apartment outside of Beirut, so if forced to evacuate, we would turn to God and take refuge in our house in Chimistar," Adnan told The New Arab.

He says that his family has begun stockpiling essential goods, such as canned food, bulgur, flour, rice, lentils, and more, in anticipation of possible price hikes and food shortages.

"Once demand surges and Israel bombs highways, goods will vanish from store shelves, and people will start hoarding, so we're preparing for the worst," he stated.

"During times of conflict, you're essentially a soldier by default: you must do everything in your power to protect your family, your home, and yourself"

Despite the Lebanese government laying out an emergency plan in anticipation of a potential war and categorizing areas into colour-coded zones, Adnan remains sceptical of its effectiveness. He's also concerned about the possibility of receiving salaries, as banks may not operate or could be destroyed.

"During times of conflict, you're essentially a soldier by default: you must do everything in your power to protect your family, your home, and yourself," he emphasised.

Software engineer Wissam Moussa, residing in the Christian neighbourhood of Ashrafieh, also fears that Israel may not adhere to the rulebook established in 2006, potentially targeting areas not affiliated with Hezbollah.

On October 20, Israel targeted a Greek Orthodox church in the Gaza Strip, where hundreds of displaced Palestinians sought refuge, claiming the lives of 150–200 people, according to Palestinian health officials.

"Israel could easily target Christian areas to stir internal conflicts and turn more people against Hezbollah and the Shia population," Wissam told The New Arab.

Wissam's primary concern lies in the fate of his family and pets, which include 16 cats, as his parents and cats are of old age.

His current plan is to seek refuge in his brother's house in the north, but he has yet to sense a full-scale war breaking out.

"Unfortunately, the fighting is still concentrated in bordering villages, which many do not perceive as a sign of a full-blown war," he noted. "If the conflict extends to areas like Tyre or Sidon, that's when I would consider it a serious danger."

For Hamza Ballout, a 24-year-old data-entry employee at a hospital in Tyre, fleeing is not an option.

"I'm not afraid of death and believe I would be more valuable at the hospital, assisting the staff with whatever they need," Hamza asserted. "At least I'll know I'm doing the right thing, and my conscience will remain clear, regardless if I'll make it or not."

*names changed to protect identity

Dana Hourany is a multimedia journalist based in Beirut

Follow her on Twitter: @DanaHourany