On March 2, the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah movement launched a drone and rocket attack against Israel in retaliation for the joint Israeli-American offensive targeting Iran in late February. Israel responded with massive strikes across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut, all of which are considered strongholds of the movement.
The Israeli military ordered residents in the south of the country to evacuate north of the Litani River. In response, hundreds of thousands of people have fled to areas further north, including Sidon, Mount Lebanon, Beirut, and the northern Bekaa Valley, with some travelling as far as Tripoli and northern Lebanon. Footage circulating on social media depicts scenes of chaotic traffic congestion.
As the number of internally displaced persons has climbed steadily since the start of the Israeli strikes – surpassing 800,000 as of March 13 – the shelters established by the Lebanese government, including schools, colleges, and stadiums, have proven insufficient.
Many of those displaced are now forced to sleep on the streets or in their cars. This is driven largely by a dramatic spike in housing costs since the start of the war. According to the news outlet L’Orient-Le Jour, rental prices have surged by 100% to 200%, as opportunistic landlords seek to capitalise on the crisis.
‘There isn't a single place for less than $1,500 a month’
Jana is a resident of the Dahieh suburb in southern Beirut, which is now almost entirely deserted following massive evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army. She said:
"When we fled during the first night of the bombardment on Dahieh, we were forced to leave everything behind. Our first stop was a school in Tariq El Jdideh [a neighbourhood in Beirut], but there was nothing there – no electricity, no mattresses, and no blankets.
By the second day, we had to move in with relatives. We are still staying with them, but we’re trying to find an apartment of our own because it’s so cramped.
Unfortunately, we’ve found nothing. There isn't a single place for less than $1,500 a month. On top of that, landlords are demanding six months' rent in advance.
Three members of our family were employed; now, because of the conflict, only one of us is working.
We simply cannot afford these prices. The situation is dire."
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According to reports from Lebanese media, some landlords are refusing to rent to Shiite families, fearing that their presence could trigger Israeli airstrikes if they are suspected of having links to Hezbollah.
In certain Christian neighbourhoods, including Jounieh and Karm al-Zeitoun in east Beirut, as well as areas in Mount Lebanon, landlords have ordered displaced Shiite residents to leave, fearing retaliatory strikes.
Mohamed is a native of the southern city of Tyre.
“We fled Tyre for Beirut. We are staying in a hotel. We have no idea when this will end or what will become of us. I don’t know how much longer we can stay here; my father is retired, and I am the sole provider for my family. We are looking for help.”
‘We have no home left, and there’s no one to take us in’
Several municipalities, particularly in Christian or mixed areas such as Keserwan, Mount Lebanon, Jounieh, and east Beirut, are imposing increasingly stringent restrictions on families seeking housing.
Local circulars issued in towns such as Bhannine, Kfardebian, and Faraya now require property owners to formally notify municipalities of new rentals and provide identification for all tenants. Police checks are also being conducted to ensure that Hezbollah members are not hiding among the displaced population.
Karen, a displaced resident of Tyre, says she has no other choice but to sleep in her car.
“We fled Tyre, first heading to Ansariyah and then to Babliyeh [about 25 km to the north]. From there, we continued north.
We have no home left, and there’s no one to take us in. Whenever we find a rental, the price is at least $1,000 per month.
We’re going to sleep in our car, even though we don't feel safe. It’s our only option. At the end of the day, we need to buy food; we have to save what little money we have just to afford food.
We simply cannot pay a high rent. This entire situation is beyond belief.”
The NGO Care International reports that families in Beirut are being forced to sleep on the streets and burn garbage to stay warm, especially during the biting cold of the night.
Riyadh, who fled his home in Deir ez-Zahrani in south Lebanon’s Nabatieh Governorate, said:
“Like so many others, we headed north in search of a place to live. We spent our first night in the car – all six of us. Only two of us are working. We have to find a home, even if it is very expensive. We simply have no choice.”
Given the severity of the crisis, the think tank Public Works Studio has called on the government to urgently requisition public buildings and vacant private housing for displaced persons, who are estimated to make up 20% of the population in Beirut. Additionally, the group urged authorities to implement rent control measures.
Accounts gathered by Carla Samaha, FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Beirut.
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