From Pixels to Panic: The Personal Impact of the Gaza War on Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has transformed into a deeply personal tragedy for countless Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon. Many of these individuals live in camps established after the 1948 displacement, a haunting reminder of their families' past. As they witness the relentless destruction and suffering in Gaza unfold on their screens, the implications become painfully real.

A New Threat in Familiar Spaces

While previous Israeli airstrikes targeted Hamas and other armed groups, Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon provided a semblance of safety for the approximate 200,000 refugees. However, this sense of security is rapidly eroding.

• Tens of thousands of refugees are fleeing as Israel intensifies its military operations against Hezbollah, further complicating an already dire situation.
• For many, the horrors they once viewed through a screen are now being lived firsthand.

When the Sound of Bombs Becomes Routine

Manal Sharari, a mother from the Rashidiyeh refugee camp near Tyre, tried to protect her three young daughters from the terror of what they saw on television. Yet, the recent sounds of nearby bombings have shattered that fragile shield.

“They were afraid and would get anxious every time they heard the sound of a strike,” Sharari shared, reflecting on the psychological toll the conflict has taken on her family.

Forced to Flee Once Again

Just days ago, the Israeli military advised residents of Rashidiyeh to evacuate as ground incursions began. This mirrors the desperate situation in Gaza, where families have been fleeing due to similar evacuation orders for months.

Sharari and her family sought refuge in a vocational training center turned displacement shelter run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in Sebline, 55 kilometers away. Here, approximately 1,400 people are now crammed into a space that once served a different purpose.

Escalating Displacement and Growing Desperation

As conflict escalates, the world bracing for an influx of more refugees, Israeli officials state that their offensive aims to push back Hezbollah and restore normalcy to northern Israel. However, the reality on the ground is far more complex.

• Over 1 million people in Lebanon have been displaced, with Palestinian refugees increasingly joining their ranks.
• At least three camps—Ein el-Hilweh, el-Buss, and Beddawi—have been directly hit by airstrikes, while others live under constant threat.

According to Dorothee Klaus, the UNRWA director in Lebanon, around 20,000 Palestinian refugees have already been displaced from southern camps, with the agency preparing for further shelter openings as the crisis deepens.

People Making Do Amidst Chaos

Outside the shelter in Sebline, Lebanese citizen Abbas Ferdoun has set up a makeshift convenience store from his van, a testament to the resilience of those affected. Having had to abandon his own business in Burj Shemali, he now finds himself in solidarity with refugees.

“Lebanese, Syrians, Palestinians—we're all in the same situation,” Ferdoun lamented, highlighting the shared struggle that transcends national boundaries.

While concerns mount over the potential targeting of U.N. shelters, as seen in Gaza, the refugees in Lebanon remain hopeful yet anxious about what lies ahead. Sharari, despite her current safety, worries about her family members who chose to stay behind and the uncertain future that awaits them all.

Following the News: A Double Burden

Sharari continues to monitor developments in both Gaza and Lebanon obsessively, a painful reminder of the dual crisis impacting her life. “I’m following what’s happening in Gaza and what’s happening in Lebanon,” she said, reflecting on the heavy emotional burden she bears.

What do you think?

• How can international organizations better respond to the growing refugee crisis in Lebanon?
• Is there a viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that could bring lasting peace?
• What responsibilities do nations have in providing refuge to people fleeing conflict?
• Do you believe media coverage of the conflict adequately represents the human impact on refugees?
• How can social media contribute to or mitigate the spread of misinformation about the situation in Gaza and Lebanon?