Displacement and Resilience: Hussain Khrais' Ongoing Struggle in Lebanon

Hussain Khrais, a 66-year-old resident of Khiyam, Lebanon, recently fled his hometown as a new conflict erupted between Israel and Hezbollah. Just days prior, Khrais had proudly showcased his newly restored home, which had been repaired after significant damage from the 2024 clashes. However, following Hezbollah's rocket and drone attacks on Israel, Israel retaliated with heavy airstrikes, forcing Khrais and many others to evacuate. He expressed deep concern over the fate of his home and business, stating, "Is the house I worked so hard to build, or the business I started, still there? Or is it all gone?"

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Khrais' experience is not unique; he has been displaced at least four times over the past four decades due to Israeli military actions. Each time, he returned to find his town in ruins, requiring extensive rebuilding efforts. The financial burden of reconstruction has been exacerbated by the Lebanese financial crisis that began in 2019, leaving many families, including Khrais', reliant on their own resources for repairs. He spent approximately $25,000 last year to restore his home after the previous conflict, highlighting the ongoing cycle of destruction and rebuilding faced by many in the region.

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The recent escalation has resulted in the displacement of around 300,000 people across Lebanon, with Israeli military evacuation orders affecting approximately 8% of the country's territory. Khrais is currently staying with about 20 relatives, some of whom are also displaced from Khiyam and Beirut's southern suburbs, which have been heavily bombarded. He described his experience in Beirut as feeling like "400 years," underscoring the emotional toll of displacement.

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding the condition of his home, Khrais remains hopeful. He cherishes the memories associated with his house, particularly the photographs of his grandchildren that adorn the walls. "That sight is worth the world's treasures," he remarked. He acknowledged the possibility of returning to a destroyed home but expressed a determination to rebuild once again, stating, "Even if we don't find the house, we'll go back and rebuild."

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The Lebanese state has provided little support for those affected by the recent conflict, and the social welfare programs from Hezbollah have also been insufficient. This lack of assistance has left many families struggling to cope with the financial and emotional burdens of repeated displacements.

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• "Is the house I worked so hard to build, or the business I started, still there? Or is it all gone?" — Hussain Khrais, Resident of Khiyam

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• "What kind of life is that?" — Hussain Khrais, reflecting on his repeated displacements.

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• "I've been in Beirut for four days now, and these four days feel like 400 years." — Hussain Khrais, on the emotional toll of displacement.

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• "That sight is worth the world's treasures - to see my grandchildren's pictures in Khiyam." — Hussain Khrais, expressing his attachment to his home.

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The ongoing conflict continues to impact the lives of many Lebanese, with Khrais' story serving as a poignant reminder of the resilience and challenges faced by those caught in the cycle of war and displacement.

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