Schools in roofs, fear returns to war after new Israeli blows

It was a typical lunch time on Friday in the southern suburb of Beirut. Then, the only warning posted in Arabic in the X Press Social School of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) caused panic and chaos in a densely populated area known as roofs.

“An urgent warning to those in the southern suburb of Beirut,” the report said. The report included a residential map that marks the building in red and two nearest schools. IDF has defined the building as an object Hezbollah and ordered immediate evacuation of schools.

The air strike was inevitable.

Next were the scenes of pure panic. The parents rushed towards the threat to gather their children from the schools, while the residents fled the back, sinkingly and scared.

“It was full of chaos,” recalls Ahmad Alama, the headmaster of Saint -Zayzha, one of those who emphasized on the map. “We tried to restrain the situation as much as we could, but it was crazy.”

Soon the area was cleaned, and Israeli troops destroyed a notable building, which, according to them, was a warehouse that retains the “Hezbolla” drones.

The strike, which took place two weeks ago, was the first on the roof – the area with a strong presence of Hezbollah – since the ceasefire that ended the war between Israel and Hezbollah, came into force in November last year.

It came a few hours after two rockets were launched from South Lebanon towards Northern Israel. Israel said it had taken one rocket and the other had no limit.

Hatsbala, supported by Iran by the militant and a political group, denied participation. Israel described the missile fire as a “violation”, while the post of President Lebanon Joseph Aun condemned the Israeli strike as “violation of the agreement”.

“We thought the war ended with the ceasefire,” says Mr. Alam, “but unfortunately we still live every day.”

Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to strike people, and the goals are said to be associated with Hezbollah, saying it acts to stop Hezbollah from repainting. The strikes mostly occurred in the south of Lebanon, but recent roofing explosions caused some anxiety.

April 1, The second Israeli strike suffered from the area – This time, without warning, the murder of Hezbollah and three other people, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reports.

Mr. Alam has been spending Saint -Zyarga for 30 years. It serves about 1000 children of all ages, boys and girls. Although religion is part of the curriculum for senior students, it describes the school as a secular one.

He is also well known in the association community with Lebanese pop star and judge of the talent show, Rageb Alama-Brat Ahmad Alama and the school owner.

The recently destroyed building lies a few meters from the school. This is not the only nearest destruction scene. Another building, opposite one of the Gate St. -Zharzha, remains a large pile of rubble – the Israeli aviation strikes before the ceasefire.

During the war the schools were closed. They did not need to fight such situations as the one they encountered. Now they are restored, they are attracted to the possibility of more bombing.

The school has developed plans for evacuation, assigning emergency places in the basement and routes for students and staff, which can follow in case of any danger.

There are also new plans to communicate with parents to prevent repeating the chaos of the last month’s strike. Now children are regularly reminded of these procedures, with regular evacuation exercises.

Students, staff and parents, like the parents, injured what happened, says Mr. Alam.

Initially, the school considered the reduction of extracurricular activities to replenish lost training, but they changed their mind.

“We decided otherwise,” says Mr. Alama. “Pupils should not pay the price for what they are not responsible for. We have actually increased these activities – these children should be pressured.”

Almost five months after the ceasefire, the return of Israeli air strikes to Beirut increased fear of returning to the war.

The fire stopped to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began when on October 7, 2023, Hatbala launched attacks on Israeli military positions in Gaza.

The conflict increased in September 2024 when Israel has started a devastating air campaign Through Lebanon and invaded south of the country.

Dahah, deserted during the war, fuss again. The shops opened again, the chicken in the hookah returned to the crowded cafes, and the suburbs seem to be as busy as before, with persistently paralyzing traffic.

But against the background of these signs of the normality of the stage of destruction, they serve as a reminder of the knocking of this area, which survived just a month ago.

According to a municipal official. Israel said it was aimed at the Hezbollah and Weapons Cash.

In many neighborhoods, rubble is still cleaned. Bulldozers and jerseys that drilled into piles of debris are almost constant.

Some mounds of the garbage have the hezbollah flags planted on them, while the big and small portraits of Hassan Nasurala, the former Hezbolla leader killed by Israel during the war, laid out the roads.

However, against the backdrop of ordinary signs of disobedience, many now express deep concern are not always voiced – at least in front of the cameras – the residents of the roof.

“Destruction is horrible. I see the destroyed buildings, and I cry,” says Sauson Harira, Burj High School, also in the roofs.

The school, which also sits across from the flattened building, caused damage from nearby blows.

“It is depressing. Going down the street, going by car – all this is simply oppressing.”

Ms Harira lived on the top floor of the school building with her husband and daughter, but their home was destroyed. Now they rent an apartment nearby.

Before the Burj High School war there were about 600 students. Now he has barely 100.

Many parents are reluctant to send their children against the backdrop of destruction and the constant noise of cars. Others were concerned about health risks and the flavors of dust still filled the air.

After the ceasefire, the owners of the private school made some main repairs at their own expense.

Hezbolla, which is forbidden as a terrorist organization in many countries, but in Lebanon is political and social movement, as well as paramilitary power, gave those who lost $ 12,000 for renting the year and offered to cover the cost of repairing apartments. However, schools and other institutions did not receive any help.

The Lebanese government has pledged to create a reconstruction fund, which, according to the World Bank, will cost $ 11 billion across the country. But, it is believed that international donors insist on the disarmament of Hezbollah and political reform – the conditions that are a distant perspective.

Although the clearing of rubble is expected to end by the end of the year, few expect a large -scale recovery will follow soon.