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Lebanon’s “Victory” Celebrations Amidst Ongoing Chaos
In a startling display of defiance, *thousands of Shiites* are flooding back into their **beloved** neighborhood of Dahiya, which *Hizbullah* proudly claims as their stronghold. “You are all welcome to Dahiya!” they chant from the rubble, waving **yellow Hizbullah flags** like a twisted banner of triumph. This is the first time they’ve been able to return in three long months filled with relentless Israeli bombings!
Despite the dust still swirling from the shattered remains of homes, the atmosphere is electric with a sense of victory. One local, Zeina, boldly declares, “*We are happy that everything is over. They have not been able to defeat us*.” But can we really call this a victory? With broken streets serving as backdrops for selfies, these celebrations feel like a mockery of the destruction around them.
Young Shiites celebrate in war-torn Dahiya (Bilal Hussein / Ap-LaPresse)
“*We have lost a lot, but it was worth it*,” says Hasan—echoing a disturbing sentiment for many. You see, his ties to the late leader of *Hizbullah* are unshakable. The very soil on which they stood was stained by the bombs that mercilessly targeted this once-thriving neighborhood.
Building fragments still smoke like a reminder of the relentless bombardment. Just hours before the ceasefire, last-minute explosions rocked the area. Now, with the smoke fading, anxiety takes the shape of *a chaotic exodus* back to homes that may, or may not, still stand!
The Bitter Truth Behind the “Victory”
Faced with the rubble of his former life, Hasan surveys his home—its living room exposed to the street by **explosive blasts**. The destruction is staggering; next door, an entire building has collapsed. “It’s unbelievable,” he whispers. “It’s okay… I thought they had demolished the entire house.” How can anyone see this as a victory?
Amidst this tumult, joyous celebrations are mixed with *menacing militia presence* on motorcycles, brandishing rifles. They fire into the air, marking what they refuse to call a defeat despite their *failed objectives* in Gaza. “We have arrested them in the south,” boasts Mohamed, an overly-enthusiastic 21-year-old fighter. What a proud moment, isn’t it?
A Reverse Exodus: The Illusion of Safety
In the aftermath of this misguided “victory,” *over 1.3 million Lebanese* have been uprooted from their homes. This is the largest refugee crisis in the country’s history, and now, tens of thousands are *rushing* back to the South where Israeli troops are now withdrawing. But make no mistake, this is no return to safety.
- Desolate towns await the weary returnees, many having been completely ravaged by years of conflict.
- While the people cheer, the shadow of uncertainty looms large; both sides of this fragile truce can easily shatter.
- For many, including Mohamed, the ceasefire is merely a pause to regroup. “*We will do it again*,” he vows, despite appearing to celebrate a hollow victory.
As men and women loosen their ties to makeshift shelters in the capital, one can’t help but wonder: Is this really a celebration, or a *delusion of victory* while the very foundations of their homes and lives lie in ruins? The struggle for survival—and a distorted notion of triumph—continues in the heart of Lebanon.
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