In brief
In a historic souk in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, the destructive impact of Israeli air raids has left business owners grappling with irreversible loss and damage.
January 7, 2025 — As dawn broke over a cold December morning, shop owners in Nabatieh faced the haunting reality of what used to be a thriving market. The aftermath of recent Israeli airstrikes, executed along with a ground invasion aimed at countering Hezbollah, was visible everywhere—debris covered the ground, twisted metal parts lay scattered, and the remnants of businesses that once flourished were reduced to rubble. Raed Mokaled, a 58-year-old business owner who co-ran an optical and jewelry store, articulated the despair that filled the air: “Everything is gone. An orange ball of fire took out everything.” As he searched through the wreckage for salvageable items, other entrepreneurs did the same—an optical shop owner stood atop the remnants of his store, while a clothing merchant retrieved leggings buried in the chaos. The destruction followed a period of violent escalation that erupted after Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched coordinated attacks against Israel, prompting an intense response against Hezbollah, which had supported the Gaza militant group. After two months of conflict, a fragile truce agreement offered temporary respite, but for those in Nabatieh, the emotional wounds and physical scars of the raid remain painfully vivid.As residents sift through the debris, the market, once a vital hub for vendors and shoppers, now symbolizes the broader struggles and sacrifices faced in the enduring regional conflict.
