Caught in the Crossfire: The Struggles of Refugees in a Tense Lebanon
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The specter of war hangs heavily over Lebanon, a country already mired in economic crisis and political unrest. For the refugees who have sought shelter within its borders, the potential for conflict adds another layer of fear to their precarious lives. Alaa, a Syrian who escaped to Lebanon in 2014 after a missile destroyed his family’s home in Aleppo, now works as a hairdresser in Beirut. The possibility of another war, this time between Hezbollah and Israel, weighs on his mind. "A war would affect everyone here: Lebanese and Syrian," Alaa told Al Jazeera, reflecting the shared anxiety of refugees who know that in war, no one is safe. Lebanon has become a temporary home for millions of people fleeing violence in their own countries, but it is a fragile sanctuary. The country's economic decline and political instability make life difficult for everyone, but especially for refugees, who often find themselves with fewer resources and options than Lebanese citizens. The lo...