In the early hours of October 9th, a devastating airstrike shattered the relative calm of the southern Lebanese town of Wardaniyah. Ali Daher, a 36-year-old mine clearance operator, first heard the explosion and then felt the searing pain. An Israeli aircraft, hovering high above, had launched two rockets at the building next door, collapsing the top two floors and showering him and his two young sons with a deadly spray of concrete and jagged metal.
The target of this strike was the Dar al-Salaam hotel—ironically named the “house of peace”—which had been converted in recent weeks into a government displacement center. This facility was a refuge for 24 families who had been forced to flee their homes under relentless Israeli bombing. Originally a German-Lebanese center established to promote cultural understanding, the hotel had seen its bronze statuettes and pieces of Lebanese antiquities pushed aside to make room for mattresses and boxes of humanitarian aid.
The strike claimed the lives of five people and left 12 others injured. It marked the first time that Wardaniyah had been targeted by Israel, but it was the latest in a troubling series of Israeli strikes on buildings housing displaced people in parts of Lebanon that were previously considered safe and had not experienced any fighting.
“We wanted to go somewhere safe, where there is no bombing, war, or militias, so we came here. Why did they strike here? We don’t know,” said Ali Daher, who had been displaced from Tyre, south Lebanon, on September 30th. He held out his fractured wrist and pointed to his one-year-old son Kareem’s arm, which had been bandaged after a piece of debris tore it open.
The attack on the Dar al-Salaam hotel has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about the safety of displacement centers and the targeting of civilian infrastructure. The facility had been a sanctuary for those seeking refuge from the violence, a place where families could find some semblance of normalcy amid the chaos.
For Ali Daher and his family, the strike has been a traumatic experience. “We left everything behind, thinking we would be safe here,” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief and sorrow. “Now, we have nothing left but fear.”
The Lebanese government has condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law and an assault on innocent civilians. Officials have called for an immediate investigation into the incident and have urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions. Italian organizations operating in the region have also expressed concern over the targeting of displacement centers and the impact on vulnerable populations. The strike on the Dar al-Salaam hotel underscores the challenges faced by aid agencies in providing assistance to those in need while ensuring their safety.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader conflict between Israel and Lebanon, which has seen repeated cycles of violence and attempts at peace. The targeting of civilian infrastructure and displacement centers highlights the complexities and challenges inherent in resolving such a deeply rooted conflict.
For the residents of Wardaniyah and other affected areas, the ongoing violence has created a climate of fear and uncertainty. Many families are now questioning where they can find safety and whether any place is truly secure from the threat of airstrikes.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community must remain vigilant and committed to supporting efforts that prioritize the protection of civilian lives. The need for a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement that addresses the root causes of the conflict is more urgent than ever.
The airstrike on the Dar al-Salaam hotel in Wardaniyah serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of civilians. As the world watches, the hope for peace and justice remains a guiding light for those affected by the ongoing hostilities. The international community must continue to advocate for a resolution that addresses the root causes of the conflict and prioritizes the protection of civilian lives.
