In a region long marred by conflict and tragedy, the people of Lebanon face daunting challenges as they commemorate the horrors of a catastrophic explosion while grappling with the aftermath of ongoing hostilities. Each August 4th serves as a somber reminder for families of the victims in Beirut, who continue to seek accountability amid an unforgiving political landscape. Meanwhile, southern Lebanon’s Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh stands in ruins due to a recent escalation of violence, leaving residents struggling to rebuild in the wake of devastation inflicted by outside forces.
Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, Lebanon – Each year since the tragic explosion at Beirut port on August 4, 2020, families gather to honor the more than 200 lives lost in one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in modern history. These commemorations serve as a rallying cry for justice and accountability, yet Lebanese authorities have made little progress in addressing the issues surrounding the ammonium nitrate that was unsafely stored prior to the explosion. Despite changes in the political landscape that promised support for an independent investigation, the quest for justice remains unfulfilled.
This year, I was unable to join the memorials, as I found myself in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, a small village in southern Lebanon that has been heavily impacted by recent Israeli airstrikes and shelling amidst ongoing clashes with Hezbollah. Since October 2023, the violence has escalated, resulting in significant destruction of homes and infrastructure. Residents, still reeling from the previous conflicts, now face yet another wave of dislocation and despair.
The destruction has left countless homes uninhabitable, and many residents, like an elderly man I encountered, are forced to scavenge for scrap metal from what was once their home. The tragic realities are compounded by Lebanon’s economic collapse, which began in 2019, rendering access to savings and basic necessities virtually impossible. The Lebanese political class has struggled to implement critical financial reforms, stymieing efforts to secure international support and aid.
Estimates for the reconstruction costs resulting from this latest round of violence are staggering, potentially reaching up to billion. As I traveled through southern Lebanon, it became clear that the scope of devastation is unprecedented, with essential services rendered unavailable and some areas lacking basic telecommunications. Many villages remain inaccessible due to military occupation, where homes are still being destroyed, and agricultural lands torched, despite a supposed ceasefire.
In the wake of hostilities, reconstruction efforts have been hampered by a lack of international assistance. The Lebanese government, already financially crippled, is under continuous pressure from external entities seeking to leverage reconstruction aid for disarmament of Hezbollah. Historically, the absence of support has stalled recovery efforts, with the World Bank estimating losses from previous conflicts at billion.
The impact of external aggression continues to resonate. As residents on the sixth anniversary of the Beirut blast look to the future, they are once again confronting the reality of rebuilding their lives from the remnants of destruction. Amidst this fragile existence, fear permeates daily life in towns like al-Mansouri, where local leaders report constant military threats and instability.
Despite the recent ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, uncertainties linger. Without a clear commitment or timeline for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, residents cannot afford to let down their guard, knowing that conflict may erupt once more. This ongoing struggle for peace and recovery underscores the resilience of the Lebanese people as they navigate the complex dynamics of their challenging environment.
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