Tense Atmosphere in Beirut Due to Displaced People from Hezbollah Strongholds

Lebanese security forces attempted today, Monday, to evacuate a building in the Hamra area of western Beirut, where families had fled due to the escalation of Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs. This led to a rush and anger as the displaced refused to leave and blocked a main road, marking the latest chapter in a displacement crisis that has exposed rising sectarian tensions in a country that has paid dearly for its divisions.

The attempt to evacuate the building was initiated at the request of its owners, shortly after Interior and Municipalities Minister Bassam Mawlawi confirmed that the relevant authorities would take “extraordinary measures” to ensure security in various areas and remove encroachments on public and private properties in Beirut.

Aml, who fled with her parents from the southern suburbs of Beirut due to intense Israeli airstrikes in the area, said after being expelled from the building, “The security forces suddenly stormed the building as if Israel was attacking its enemies, not as if we were Lebanese dealing with each other.”

She added, while standing in front of the building amidst clashes between young displaced people and security forces: “They wanted to forcibly remove us, and those who found their apartment door locked broke it down.”

The security forces attempted to evacuate the building, located on the main Hamra street, by force, following a court decision, amidst a heavy deployment of army units in the area. This led to clashes and rushes with the building’s residents, many of whom refused to leave and blocked the main road, pushing garbage containers into the street in protest accompanied by angry chants.

After a back-and-forth, the Internal Security Forces announced in a statement that “after a large number of protesters gathered, the attorney general indicated that they would be given an additional 48-hour period to evacuate.” Based on this communication, the security forces left the area.

Beirut’s mayor, Abdullah Darwish, stated that the building is “private property, and its owners filed a lawsuit with the attorney general to evacuate it.”

Since the beginning of the influx of tens of thousands of residents from the southern suburbs to Beirut and neighboring areas, some displaced individuals have entered empty or abandoned buildings in search of a place to sleep, evoking memories of the Lebanese civil war (1975 – 1990), during which the practice of “occupying empty homes” was widespread. Since then, security forces have been working to evacuate buildings after displaced individuals sought refuge in them, especially in the capital.

With over a million people fleeing their homes in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes, the Interior Minister confirmed, following a meeting with security and administrative officials to discuss the security situation, that the gendarmerie and Beirut police were “addressing issues resulting from the displacement and preventing encroachments on public and private properties.”

In a country that has long suffered from sectarian and political disputes, the influx of displaced individuals into Beirut and other areas has raised sensitivities, mistrust, and tension in some regions, especially after targeting apartments occupied by displaced individuals in areas not aligned with Hezbollah.

Lara, 18, did not hide her anger at the attempt to forcibly evacuate her and her family from the building on Monday. She emotionally stated, “We stayed inside the building thinking that the security forces would not enter because there were women present, and we intended to leave after the crisis ended.” She continued, “Suddenly, they entered and started hitting, and the women began to scream.” Nearby, a woman interrupted her saying, “Either we go to the cemetery or we go back to our homes.”