The residents of Al-Maamoun Street in Basta endured an Israeli crime during Israel’s aggression on Lebanon, as its aircraft launched several raids on the neighborhood, causing immense destruction. The initial strikes, on October 10, 2024, resulted in the martyrdom of 14 people and the complete demolition of two buildings: a four-story inhabited building and a two-story abandoned one. The second wave of aggression, on November 23, 2024, primarily targeted the eight-story Baidoun building, leading to the martyrdom of 34 people. Numerous surrounding buildings also sustained damage from these attacks.
While residents strive to recover from these successive crises, the state appears intent on solidifying its fractured relationship with them. It uses this as a means to push them toward dependency on non-governmental organizations and the private sector, especially concerning reconstruction, ensuring the return of displaced individuals, and providing them with shelter. In this context, the role of the NGO “Offre Joie”, currently engaged in renovating buildings in Basta, becomes particularly prominent.
This text presents the findings of a rapid field study we conducted. Through interviews with neighborhood residents and the project engineer, Michel Tarabay, we sought to gain a deeper understanding of the project’s details, scope, and specific circumstances.
Read the full Field Watch in Arabic.
