Lebanon's displaced: University in Sidon turned into a shelter

Key Concepts

• Forced Displacement: The involuntary movement of people from their homes due to conflict or violence.
• Systematic Demolition: The deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure and housing during military operations.
• Ceasefire: A temporary suspension of fighting, which residents in this context view as insufficient for safety.
• Generational Trauma: The recurring cycle of displacement and conflict experienced by families over several decades.
• Geopolitical Instability: The ongoing tension and history of military incursions between Israel and Lebanon.

The Transformation of Educational Infrastructure into Shelters

In Sidon, southern Lebanon, a university has been repurposed into a displacement shelter following the mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of residents from the south. Classrooms have been converted into makeshift bedrooms, partitioned by plastic sheets. Despite the implementation of a ceasefire, displaced residents express profound skepticism regarding their safety, citing the extensive damage to their homes and the lack of security guarantees.

Personal Accounts of Destruction and Displacement

The report highlights the lived experiences of individuals facing the consequences of the conflict:

• Salam Assi: A resident whose home was severely damaged by a blast from an Israeli missile that targeted a neighboring property. She expressed a total loss of trust in both local and international political processes, stating, "I don't have any trust of this country and any country. I want to live in safe only."
• Zahra Saad (86): A resident of Bint Jbeil who previously survived a month of bombardment 20 years ago. She reports that the current conflict involves the systematic demolition of buildings in her hometown, emphasizing the deep emotional attachment residents have to their properties.
• Ali Najib and Alam Hijazi: Najib, born in Haifa in 1948, represents the generational nature of this crisis. His family fled to Hula, Lebanon, during the partition of Palestine. He and his wife have spent their lives fleeing recurring cycles of violence near the border.

Political Critique and Government Accountability

A central argument presented by the displaced residents is the perceived failure of the Lebanese government to protect its citizens. Ali Najib explicitly criticized the government’s diplomatic engagement with Israel, arguing that any agreements made are "built on the blood of those killed" and the destruction of civilian livelihoods. There is a strong sentiment that the state is failing to support those who have lost everything, leading to feelings of humiliation and abandonment.

Historical Context and Military Strategy

• Historical Frequency: The report notes that Israel has invaded Lebanon six times since 1978, establishing a pattern of recurring displacement for the local population.
• Military Justification vs. Civilian Reality: While Israel maintains that its military operations are strictly targeted at Hezbollah fighters and associated military infrastructure, the residents of the Sidon shelter view these actions as a systematic destruction of their homes and lives, offering them little comfort or sense of security.

Synthesis

The situation in Sidon serves as a microcosm of the broader, long-term humanitarian crisis in southern Lebanon. The transition of academic spaces into shelters underscores the scale of displacement, while the testimonies of the residents highlight a profound disconnect between high-level diplomatic talks and the reality on the ground. The recurring nature of these conflicts—spanning from 1948 to the present—has created a cycle of generational trauma, leaving displaced families with little faith in political solutions and a deep-seated fear for their future safety.