According to Arab media reports, residents of the southern Beirut neighborhood of Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold, are in the midst of a “quiet” wave of departures.
Although there is no official evacuation order, thousands of families are leaving due to grave concerns about an escalation in the war and Israeli attacks.
The fear is growing these days due to the increasing presence of Israeli drones over the area, and inflammatory statements by senior Hezbollah officials.
The abandonment of Dahiyeh is leading to a dramatic increase in demand for apartments and houses in safer areas around Beirut, which is causing prices to rise. In addition, businesses are moving goods and warehouses to more remote areas, some are stopping selling new inventory or opening new branches outside Dahiyeh. In addition, schools are having difficulty retaining students, and many parents are hesitant to register their children for the next school year.
The decline in economic activity in Dahiyeh is another blow to Hezbollah's pocket, since most of the businesses there support the organization. Furthermore, the abandonment undermines the organization's image as a factor that is capable of both fighting and protecting its people. Above all, this abandonment indicates a decline in the sense of security and morale among Hezbollah's supporters.