Crowds gather each evening on a scenic hillside on the outskirts of Beirut, drawn by the view of Dahiya, a cluster of neighborhoods south of the city that has experienced intense Israeli airstrikes over the past two months. The area, usually a picnic spot, has transformed into a vantage point for locals—young men, couples, and journalists—eagerly waiting for signs of the ongoing conflict.
As night falls, attendees anxiously scan the skyline for signs of destruction. When an airstrike occurs, the crowd reacts quickly, searching for smoke as a clue to the impact. This gathering has turned into a nightly ritual amid the escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
Situated in a cramped area of high-rise apartments and narrow roads, Dahiya is predominantly inhabited by Shiite Muslims and governed by Hezbollah. Israeli airstrikes, aimed at Hezbollah military positions, have left the area in ruins, creating a ghost town filled with debris.
Initially, local TV reporters set up on the hillside to cover the conflict, soon joined by displaced residents seeking updates on their neighborhoods. Some are desperate for news, while others are merely seeking to witness the unfolding events. The presence of young Christian men at the site, cheering the destruction, underscores the underlying sectarian tensions in Lebanon.
Morbid curiosity propels many to the hillside, where they listen for the sounds of bombings and observe the resultant smoke. As the conflict rages, the atmosphere is filled with a mix of dread and fascination, with individuals attempting to make sense of the ongoing violence.
One resident, who had evacuated the Dahiya, described the routine of receiving evacuation warnings and returning to bid farewell to their neighborhood. This juxtaposition of normalcy—a commercial flight landing at Beirut's airport—highlights the surreal nature of life amidst conflict.
Local television crews set up along the escarpment, gathering updates from the scene. Residents, like a retired couple from Dahiya, rely on the journalists for the latest news, seeking solace in shared information. Despite their difficult circumstances, they maintain a sense of humor and hope for the future.
The couple reflected on their long history in the Dahiya, having seen it rebuilt after previous conflicts. They expressed confidence that Hezbollah would once again restore the neighborhood, though they acknowledged the hardships that would follow.
As darkness enveloped the area, the outlines of Dahiya were silhouetted against the lights of Beirut. Among those gathered was a family who had fled the neighborhood, now spending nights in the hillside as tensions heightened. While they felt generally welcomed in the nearby town of Baabda, they experienced occasional hostility, revealing the complex sectarian divide.
Amidst the challenges, residents like Iman Assaf maintained a sense of solidarity, viewing the conflict as a collective struggle. As she settled in for the night, she looked over Dahiya, praying for the war to come to an end.