The Economist: Lebanon is facing the worst crisis since the end of the civil war policy
The Economist magazine reported that Beirut's public squares and beaches were crowded with displaced people from southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of the city, and the lucky ones were sleeping on mattresses and wrapped in blankets.
Thousands of families have been living in the open since the night of September 27, following the killing of Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike.
The British magazine said in a report from Beirut that the southern suburb of Beirut, which is a stronghold of Hezbollah supporters, was emptied of its residents hours after the Israeli attack after they left it in search of safety in other areas of the capital and outside it.
She added that Martyrs' Square in Beirut, which was the focus of popular protests against the “corrupt” political class in Lebanon in 2019, has today become a refuge for those who fled the southern suburbs, and one of the main targets of the current Israeli air strikes.
They sleep on the streets
While Hezbollah supporters sleep in the streets, and Lebanon faces what may be the largest displacement crisis in its history, the party has no trace anywhere, according to the Economist, which indicates that its supporters are relying on a caretaker government “mired in chaos” and the Lebanese for help. As for Hezbollah itself, it provided only a small amount of support to the displaced, as the magazine claims.
On September 28, when the party confirmed the killing of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, sadness spread throughout Martyrs’ Square, and the atmosphere began to be gloomy. Women wearing black abayas, bearded men, and TV presenters began to cry, and some fired bullets into the air from their rifles, according to the statement. Economist expression.
According to the magazine, Nasrallah's assassination shocked Lebanon, just as the overnight devastation of Hezbollah's leadership stunned its followers, after it seemed to many that the party's control over the Lebanese state was “unchangeable.”
More opposed to Israel
Although there were opponents of Hezbollah who did not hide their joy at the killing of Nasrallah, there were many Lebanese opponents of the party who criticized the Israeli attacks. Karim Bitar, a professor at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, said many Lebanese are highly critical of Hezbollah, but are more opposed to Israel.
He added, “Do not underestimate the shock of the Lebanese people. An entire generation has woken up to politics, and Israel is planting the seeds of future wars.”
The Economist concluded its report by noting that the war continues, although Lebanon is now experiencing national mourning for 3 days, and is suffering from shock and fear of what is coming more than ever before.