Journalism of Courage
Beirut’s Hamra Street, known for its lively economic scene, is now a place of refuge for thousands fleeing the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. (AP photo)
Lebanese, Palestinians, and Syrians have filled hotels, rentals, and even old cinemas to escape the violence, reshaping this historic neighbourhood into a shelter hub. (AP photo)
The famed Le Colisee cinema, once closed for over two decades, has reopened as a temporary refuge. Rehabilitated earlier this year by Lebanese actor Kassem Istanbouli, it was intended to revive Beirut’s cultural scene but now houses families displaced from the country’s war-torn south. (AP photo)
The cinema’s red carpeting is now covered in thin mattresses, as people gather, following the news on their phones or simply passing time. (AP photo)
This wave of people has sparked surprising economic activity along Hamra Street, which has struggled through Lebanon’s financial crisis. (AP photo)
However, the revival has come with challenges. Crowds have led to traffic congestion, double-parked vehicles, and motorbikes filling sidewalks, making navigation difficult for residents. (AP photo)
The ongoing Israel-Hezbollah war, which escalated in September, has resulted in heavy casualties and widespread displacement. Over 2,500 people have died, and Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that more than 1.2 million are displaced, with many from Lebanon’s south, Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs. (AP photo)
