In brief
In the wake of recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions, schools in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh are implementing emergency drills and evacuation plans as fear of war looms large among residents. Community leaders express profound concern over the lasting impacts of conflict, both on the mental health of students and the physical state of their neighborhoods.
The bustling suburb of Dahieh in southern Beirut experienced severe panic recently, triggered by an urgent warning posted in Arabic by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The need for evacuation was communicated after the IDF identified a building alleged to be a Hezbollah facility. Israeli forces subsequently carried out airstrikes, intensifying fears among parents and educators about a potential return to conflict.Ahmad Alama, director of St Georges School, recounted the terrifying moments as parents rushed to collect their children amidst chaos, with residents fleeing the area in disbelief. "It was total chaos," he recalled, explaining the school's efforts to manage the situation during the evacuation. This airstrike marked the first operation in Dahieh since the ceasefire initiated last November, following extensive warfare between Israel and Hezbollah.Despite the ceasefire, Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah and its affiliates have continued regularly, exacerbating tensions. An earlier attack in April claimed the life of a Hezbollah commander and raised alarms about escalating violence. Following the most recent airstrike, schools are preparing themselves for similar scenarios, recognizing the challenging environment in which their students are learning.St Georges School, catering to around 1,000 children, has devised contingency plans, including evacuation drills and improved communication with parents to mitigate panic if further strikes occur. Alama emphasized the necessity of maintaining extracurricular activities to support students' emotional well-being amidst ongoing stressors linked to the conflict.While the local economy shows signs of revival with shops reopening and life seeming to resume some normalcy, the devastation left by strikes remains a haunting reminder of the past. Municipal officials estimate extensive damage in the area, with hundreds of buildings destroyed, evidenced by rubble and ongoing construction activities.Sawsan Hariri, headteacher at Burj High School, highlighted the deep sense of loss and concern within the community. The school, once home to nearly 600 students, is now struggling to retain even a fraction of that number, as fears about safety and health risks persist. Employing makeshift repairs and relying on a lack of financial assistance from Hezbollah, many schools face the dire prospect of delayed recovery.In this atmosphere of uncertainty, parents and educators strive to provide stability and hope for their children, even as international support for reconstruction appears precarious. The urgency to rebuild and provide a sense of normality looms large, against a backdrop of an unsteady ceasefire and strained local sentiments toward the future.
