As Lebanon emerges from a turbulent conflict with Israel, the aftermath of destruction exposes another crisis: the overwhelming amount of debris that needs to be cleared. For many, including engineering student Ahmad Mehdi, the remnants of their homes are a constant reminder of the war that has altered their lives. After an Israeli airstrike severely damaged his apartment in South Beirut, Mehdi finds himself living in a shattered home with little hope of repair until the rubble is dealt with.
Lebanon Grapples with Massive Clean-Up After Conflict
Lebanon Grapples with Massive Clean-Up After Conflict
Lebanon faces a daunting task of debris removal following devastating conflict with Israel, causing significant environmental concerns.
The National Council for Scientific Research in Lebanon reported estimates that nearly 3,000 buildings in the Dahiya region have been destroyed or heavily damaged. The ongoing conflict, which intensified on October 7, 2023, when Hezbollah began retaliatory attacks against Israel, resulted in over 3,700 lives lost and displaced approximately 1.3 million people in Lebanon. The economic toll is expected to run into billions, with large swathes of southern Lebanon and the densely populated areas of Beirut suffering extensively.
Experts like Tamara Elzein, who contributed to the research report, warn that the scale of the clean-up is immense, with around 350 million cubic feet of rubble now littering the landscape. This debris cleanup must occur before any substantial reconstruction efforts can begin. Meanwhile, in Gaza, where Israel continues military operations against Hamas, up to 60% of buildings have similarly been damaged or destroyed, compounding the humanitarian crisis in the region.
As Lebanon grapples with both the consequences of a protracted conflict and the pressing need to manage its environment, the communities wait for answers on how to restore their homes and lives amidst the rubble.
Experts like Tamara Elzein, who contributed to the research report, warn that the scale of the clean-up is immense, with around 350 million cubic feet of rubble now littering the landscape. This debris cleanup must occur before any substantial reconstruction efforts can begin. Meanwhile, in Gaza, where Israel continues military operations against Hamas, up to 60% of buildings have similarly been damaged or destroyed, compounding the humanitarian crisis in the region.
As Lebanon grapples with both the consequences of a protracted conflict and the pressing need to manage its environment, the communities wait for answers on how to restore their homes and lives amidst the rubble.
