BEIRUT — After months of conflict and displacement, daily life is gradually resuming in Dahiya, the southern suburbs of Beirut dominated by Hezbollah, despite extensive damage and ongoing tensions. This area, which bore the brunt of Israeli airstrikes during the recent hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, is witnessing a cautious return to normalcy as residents and businesses rebuild amid the ruins.
The fighting began in early March when Israel launched attacks on Dahiya in response to Hezbollah’s cross-border rocket and drone strikes that followed a U.S.-Israeli campaign targeting Iran. Residents fled en masse, recalling the mass evacuations during the 2024 conflict between the two groups. Following a fragile cease-fire in mid-April, many attempted to return, only to be forced out again when Israeli forces resumed strikes weeks later.
A tentative truce brokered by the United States and Iran in mid-June has allowed people to trickle back into their homes and workplaces, although sporadic Israeli strikes have continued, provoking criticism, including from former U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Amnesty International, Israel issued 27 mass evacuation warnings in Dahiya from March through May, a practice the human rights organization said violated international humanitarian law. Israel maintains that its military operations target Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives responsible for attacks on northern Israel.
Merchants and residents in Dahiya describe a neighborhood attempting to revive itself amid the lingering scars of war. Mohamed Trad, who manages a local café and hookah lounge, noted the vibrancy returning as patrons gather to watch World Cup matches and socialize, despite the destruction surrounding them. Trad estimated losses of up to $27,000 from a nearby strike that destroyed his previous business location but expressed confidence in the neighborhood’s resilience. “People want to come back here. They want to live here,” he said.
Similarly, Issa Fahs, a cosmetics shop owner, recounted how the conflict displaced his workers and shuttered his business for months. He highlighted the economic impact as imports from countries such as China and Turkey were disrupted, reducing sales dramatically during the closure. “This war has brought so much loss,” Fahs said, “but we always want to be positive.”
The resumption of religious observances during Ashura, a significant Shiite commemoration mourning the death of Imam Hussein, has provided a spiritual anchor amid recovery efforts. Volunteers distributed food and water along procession routes, while Hezbollah leaders addressed community members in public gatherings. Residents such as Ali Alaiwiyeh emphasized the symbolic importance of the observance in encouraging perseverance despite hardship.
Not all displaced individuals have returned, particularly those whose homes suffered severe damage or who are hesitant to face repeated displacement without a lasting resolution. Migrant workers from countries including Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Syria—who previously lived in Dahiya due to its lower living costs—remain vulnerable. Many were left stranded without income or shelter during the evacuations, and some continue to face difficulties reclaiming belongings due to landlords’ demands for rent arrears, according to advocates for migrant communities.
While recovery progresses, signs of instability persist. Israeli drone surveillance remains active over Beirut, and tensions between Israel and Hezbollah endure despite ongoing U.S.-mediated diplomatic efforts. Excavators continue clearing rubble, vendors sell fresh produce along crowded streets, and traffic clogs narrow avenues in a neighborhood balancing the return of everyday life with the memories and consequences of conflict.