In Lebanon, the persistent tension between Israel and Hezbollah has heightened anxieties among the populace, amplifying existing mental health challenges and reawakening traumatic memories from prior conflicts. This has been particularly difficult for individuals who experienced past wars, such as a 29-year-old woman living near Sidon, who vividly recalls the terror caused by the sonic booms of Israeli jets—a sound that rekindles her fears of buildings collapsing around her. Her psychological scars date back to her childhood during the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a time when she felt the immediate threat of bombings close to her home.
The recent escalation in violence, following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, has only intensified these fears. Hezbollah has responded with almost daily exchanges of fire across the border, supporting Hamas, and further straining the already tense situation. The assassination of Hezbollah’s top military leader in Beirut and Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran have triggered vows of retaliation and fears of a broader conflict, prompting international airlines to halt flights to Lebanon and some countries to advise their citizens to leave.
The continuous stress and anxiety have worsened the mental health of many, including the woman from Sidon, who can no longer afford therapy as her work has slowed due to the ongoing hostilities. Lebanon’s history of conflict, including a lengthy civil war and multiple Israeli invasions, has left a legacy of psychological trauma. This has been noted by Laila Farhood, a professor at the American University of Beirut, who specializes in the mental health impacts of war. She points out that such cumulative trauma not only affects individuals but also passes across generations, often triggered anew by current events.
This psychological burden was evident when Israeli jets recently flew over central Beirut, their sonic booms reigniting traumatic memories of past events, like the massive explosion at Beirut’s port in 2020. For some, like 23-year-old law student Charbel Chaaya, these sounds triggered his first panic attack, highlighting the raw nerves and high stress levels among the Lebanese population.
Amidst this backdrop of heightened alertness and uncertainty, Layal Hamze of Embrace, a mental health NGO, notes that Lebanese are now hypersensitive to any sudden sounds, reflecting a general state of heightened adrenaline and stress. Social media in Lebanon has seen calls to reduce fireworks, traditionally used in celebrations, to avoid triggering further anxiety. Despite the pervasive fear, coping mechanisms vary widely, from seeking solace in community activities to finding relief in humor and social gatherings.
This climate of uncertainty has a significant impact on individuals like dancer Andrea Fahed, who experienced panic during the recent sonic booms and keeps her windows open to mitigate the risk of damage from potential blasts. The ongoing conflict in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the fragility and unpredictability of their situation, underscoring a pervasive fear that the worst might be yet to come.
