Residents of Haret Hreik, a southern suburb of Beirut known as part of Hezbollah’s stronghold, have expressed defiant resolve after an Israeli airstrike left homes damaged and lives disrupted. The strike, which marked one of the first attacks close to the Lebanese capital in months, killed five people and injured more than 25, according to local health officials.
The suburb, which lies in the Dahiyeh area, awoke to rubble, shattered windows, and a deeply shaken community. But amid the destruction, several residents made clear that their spirit remains unbroken. One shop owner told Africanews that they were “expecting this to happen,” adding that past attacks had not broken their commitment. He said the bombing only increases their determination.
The attack comes at a time when tensions have risen as Israel accuses Hezbollah of rebuilding its military capabilities in Lebanon, even after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. Israel’s military claims that the Dahiyeh area, where Haret Hreik is located, hosts Hezbollah infrastructure, though Lebanese officials have denied responsibility for renewed hostilities.
Haret Hreik, part of the broader Dahiyeh district, is densely populated and has served as a political and logistical base for Hezbollah for decades. In the wake of the strike, some residents described having fled their homes as warnings went out, while others stayed behind to support the recovery effort.
The incident underscores the fragility of the current peace. Although the ceasefire has largely held, analysts warn that such strikes and the community backlash they provoke could unravel trust and spark a renewed cycle of retaliation.
Lebanese and international human rights advocates have called for increased protection for civilians in densely populated suburbs like Dahiyeh, urging both sides to avoid civilian casualties and to negotiate rather than resort to force.
