Beirut in Crisis: Teetering on the Brink of Schizophrenia

It is slightly quieter than normal in the Lebanese capital, but eateries and stores are open. After the alleged normality lies a lot of suspicion – and the longing that there will be no significant escalation. Coming at Beirut International Airport – called behind Rafik Hariri, the retired Prime Minister of Lebanon who was murdered in 2005.

Even though numerous airlines have withdrawn their aviation to Beirut due to the danger of war, the column at the immigration headquarters is long: Lebanese households with youngsters, many Syrians who operate in Lebanon. There is a small sign of significant concern.

After the passport rule, a young man gives out red pamphlets: City Sightseeing Beirut. The expedition from Martyrs’ Square to the National Museum has fees which are $25 for grown-ups and $20 for kids – of course with a finish at the amazing view of the prominent Raouche Rocks.

“Life is expected to a large area. Nobody is collecting petrol or food – there is no alarm,” says Jad Yattem. Despite the columnist for the liberal newspaper An-Nahar has even witnessed in current days that not everything is as expected: “There is minor traffic and at night individuals leave their windows available so that they don’t break if there is an attack.”

Beirut – Nerves are Tense

In Beirut and throughout Lebanon, individuals were anticipating a harsh Israeli counterattack behind a missile that hit the townlet of Majdal Shams on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, killing twelve kids and teenagers. Now Israel has attacked an establishment in Beirut – in the south of the assets, where the Shiite Hezbollah has its defense.

Nevertheless, the individuals of Lebanon’s capital yearning that their city will not be pulled further into the action.

Most people would not desire such an escalation, says reporter Yattem. However, nerves are stretched, but gallows wit – typically Lebanese – allows us to manage this down: “There is a standard joke. If the Israelis endanger to eliminate our infrastructure – so what – we have no functioning embellishments.”

Between State of Emergency and Carelessness

At the same time, the south of the nation has been in a state of trouble for nearly ten months due to the constant battle between Hezbollah and the Israeli army. The data is according to the UN figures, almost 100,000 individuals have left their towns. Many people have come to the towns.

They certainly have issues with the alleged carelessness of numerous people here. “I almost hope that something would occur here too. Then they would understand what is running on here every day,” states one who escaped from the south.

Now Israel has even attacked the capital this sunset. Many individuals still expect that there will be no significant escalation.