Eyes now turn to the southern suburbs of Beirut after the truce, a time when hope and tension mingle in the minds of residents. Wednesday dawn saw thousands of Lebanese flock to these neighborhoods after the end of the agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, officially ending a two-month war. Among them was Hussein Mallah, determined to rebuild his home and businesses in the face of urgent need.
While the truce remains fragile, the de-escalation process includes a withdrawal of Israeli forces and a strengthening of the Lebanese army presence in the south of the country to ensure the removal of Hezbollah weapons. Yet accusations from both sides reflect the lack of trust between the two sides, witness to decades of conflict. The rapid actions of Israeli forces on the Lebanese side and the alleged regrouping of Hezbollah only serve to heighten the simmering tensions.
Despite these challenges, the spirit of resilience and perseverance remains strong among the residents of the southern suburbs. Mallah, optimistic and confident in his values, assures that even if the ceasefire fails again, the will to rebuild will remain unwavering. In these neighborhoods marked by the scars of the bombings, the community spirit persists despite the surrounding destruction.
Sadness and determination are found on every street corner, shards of glass litter the ground while rubble collapses from ruined balconies. Residents set about repairing the damage, symbolizing the physical and moral reconstruction to which they are ardently dedicated. The main boulevard, named in honor of the son of the late Hezbollah leader, is the scene of these resurgence efforts, where the strengthening of the community affirms its will to rise from its ashes.
In this uncertain context, the speeches of Hezbollah leaders seek to instill hope and unity, recalling the great victories of the past to motivate the troops. Despite the differences with previous conflicts, determination and pride remain the pillars of resistance, reinforcing the conviction that the future can be shaped by the will of the people to rise up and move forward.
At the heart of this turmoil, reconstruction is not only material, but also psychological and social. The challenges ahead will require not only physical efforts, but also collective solidarity and resilience to overcome the trials to come. Ultimately, it is in the strength of the community and its ability to rise up together that lies the hope for a better tomorrow.