Residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs have been left reeling in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that killed a top Hezbollah commander, sparking widespread fears of a full-scale war. As tensions escalate, many are scrambling to make contingency plans, with some opting to move to safer areas within Lebanon, while others are taking a more unconventional route – fleeing to neighboring Syria.
The Israeli airstrike, which targeted an apartment building in a busy neighborhood, has sent shockwaves throughout the city, with many fearing that the situation could rapidly spiral out of control. For most residents, the preferred option is to move in with relatives or rent homes in Christian, Druze, or Sunni-majority areas of Lebanon, which are generally considered safer than the Shiite-majority areas where Hezbollah has its main operations and base of support.
However, for a small but growing number of residents, plan B involves making the journey to Syria, a country still reeling from 14 years of civil war. Despite the risks, many Lebanese citizens are taking advantage of the fact that they can cross the border without a visa, and that renting an apartment is significantly cheaper in Syria than in Lebanon.
“I never thought I’d say this, but Syria feels safer than Beirut right now,” said Fatima, a 35-year-old mother of two who has just rented an apartment in Damascus. “I know it sounds crazy, but I’d rather take my chances in a country that’s already been ravaged by war than stay in a city that’s on the brink of chaos.”
Fatima’s sentiments are echoed by many others who have made the journey to Syria in recent days. While the Lebanese capital had been largely untouched by the near-daily cross-border clashes that have displaced around 100,000 people from southern Lebanon and tens of thousands more in Israel since October 8, the recent airstrike has changed the calculus for many residents.
The clashes began when Hezbollah started firing rockets into northern Israel in support of its ally Hamas, which had led a deadly raid in Israel that killed some 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage. Israel responded with an aerial bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, many residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs are left with few options. While some have the means to move to safer areas within Lebanon, others are forced to look elsewhere. For those who have chosen to flee to Syria, the journey is fraught with risk, but many feel it’s a necessary evil.
“I know Syria is not the safest place in the world, but what choice do I have?” said Ali, a 28-year-old shopkeeper who has just arrived in Damascus. “I’d rather take my chances in a country that’s already been devastated by war than stay in a city that’s on the brink of collapse.”
As the situation in Beirut continues to unfold, one thing is clear – the human cost of the conflict is already being felt. Whether residents choose to flee to safer areas within Lebanon or take the more unconventional route of fleeing to Syria, the impact of the conflict will be felt for months to come.
