The Israeli threats have naturally led hundreds of families from the southern suburbs and southern Lebanon to distance themselves from these areas, opting to move to safer towns in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Kasrouan, and Jbeil. Accompanying the waves of displacement has been a rise in voices condemning the increase in apartment prices by brokers and landlords seeking to make exorbitant profits.
#### Sectarian Division
However, the most alarming aspect of this new displacement crisis, which results from the ongoing war for more than ten months, is how it has revealed the depth of sectarian and political division within Lebanese society. Many citizens expressed on social media their rejection of renting apartments or accommodating displaced individuals from the south and the southern suburbs, fearing that among the tenants could be officials or field leaders from Hezbollah, which would expose them to the risk of Israeli targeting.
#### Call from the Municipal Council of Falougha
In this context, the municipal council of Falougha (Mount Lebanon) called on its residents not to rent houses in the town to any party—whether "Lebanese or non-Lebanese," "local or non-local"—without first checking the identity of the tenant and obtaining prior approval from the municipality. This call has stirred a strong reaction on social media, with opinions divided between supporters who refuse to expose their area to the risk of Israeli targeting, arguing that Hezbollah, which has opened a front of "support and distraction," should bear the cost of this war, and opponents, particularly from within Hezbollah's environment, who see the Falougha municipality's call as an affront to the principle of national unity in crises, emphasizing that Hezbollah is fighting in the south in defense of all Lebanese people, not just a specific faction.
#### Security Agencies' Recommendation
Joseph Abu Joudeh, the mayor of Falougha, clarified that the directive came after a recommendation from security agencies to be cautious about renting apartments in the town until they review the tenant's identification documents and verify their legal record if there are any alerts against them. He noted, "We have observed a recent increase in demand for rental apartments from Lebanese citizens, hence the recommendation from security agencies to be vigilant and aware, particularly amid security instability that sometimes allows criminals to evade justice."
#### "Defamatory Campaigns"
He added, "The town of Falougha has faced defamatory campaigns from residents of southern towns following the directive," expressing regret at the misinterpretation of the situation. Abu Joudeh affirmed, "The municipality has not prevented anyone from renting a home in the town," mentioning that "over 30 housing units have been rented out recently, with some owners being residents from southern towns." However, he acknowledged that "the fear of Lebanese citizens is justified, especially if the person wanting to rent is a field official in Hezbollah, which would expose their region to the risk of Israeli targeting."
#### "We Are Not Racist"
He added, "We are concerned about the safety of our town and its residents, and we are not racist as it is said, and any person wishing to rent an apartment in the town who is found to pose a security risk will have us report to security agencies to take appropriate action."
It is noteworthy that since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip on October 7, Hezbollah has also engaged in confrontations. Southern Lebanon has witnessed skirmishes and near-daily strikes, leading to the displacement of thousands of residents. Israel has also carried out several assassinations by targeting sites and vehicles carrying fighters and leaders of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, as well as others affiliated with Hamas and the Islamic group.
