Border Clashes Between the Israeli Army and Hezbollah
There have been serious conflicts in the border regions between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah Movement since October 8, 2023. In this process, Israeli warplanes violate the airspace, especially in the south of Lebanon, and create sonic explosions by breaking the sound barrier in the border areas. On July 27, the rocket attack on the Druze city of Majdel Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights increased the tension between the parties further, with Israel killing Hezbollah’s number 2 name Fuad Şükür in the capital Beirut in retaliation.
Before the Magdel Shams incident, Israeli warplanes were only carrying out sonic explosions in the cities of Sur, Nabatieh and Sidon in the south of Lebanon, but after July 27, such incidents began to occur intensively in the capital Beirut. The effects of these “sonic booms”, which are part of a psychological war, on Beirut residents have been scrutinized by experts and citizens.
Bitter Memories of the Civil War Find a Place in Memory
Psychologist Dr. living in Beirut. Riham Monzer states that after the sonic booms, a significant increase was observed in the number of adults and children coming to his private clinic with such complaints. Referring to its effects on adults, Monzer states:
“In addition to creating fear, the explosion also takes the Lebanese people, who have seen many wars, back to the past. Many tragic events have occurred since the civil war in Lebanon. When someone hears the explosion, bad memories come to mind and the fear of those days happening again is felt. Unfortunately, these sonic booms that break the sound barrier cause deep wounds in social memory.”
Sharing his views on the impact of explosions on children and how this situation should be managed, Monzer adds the following:
“The reactions of families or adults to the sonic boom directly affect children’s behavior. The fear experienced by adults is reflected in children and increases their anxiety. “Normally, there is no great fear in children due to the sound of the explosion, but when adults panic, this fear is transferred to them.”
Monzer emphasizes that there have been concerns for a long time, especially among citizens, about whether a possible war will break out, which triggers other health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
What do people living in Beirut think?
Dunya Muhammed, who lives in Beirut, said, “I am afraid and uneasy. The last time I was on the bus, there was a sonic explosion and I had goosebumps. I got out of the vehicle and drank water, there is nothing else to do. I have blood pressure. May God help those who have children.” He expresses his feelings as follows.
Tala Beylasan, who is only 14 years old, said, “We are afraid. When we heard it for the first time, we thought it was a direct air attack. We cannot distinguish between an air attack and a sonic boom.” He shares his concern by saying.
Comments of Egyptian Tourists
Abdullah Mecit, who came to Beirut from Egypt for a holiday, states that he is very saddened by the scene he saw and the explosions that took place. He states that when he heard the explosion, everyone was worried and the people around him were afraid and cried:
“I came to Lebanon from Egypt and I did not expect the situation to reach this level. I am very angry that Lebanon is in this situation. “There were two sonic booms in a row in the city of Sidon yesterday.”
Maya Kerim, who came to Lebanon from Ethiopia in 2021 and works as a maid in a house, stated that she was very scared and trembling and that she had never heard a sonic explosion before, while Abu Ahmed from Beirut said that he had been used to such explosions since his childhood, but the new generation and children are not accustomed to this situation. They state that they are very afraid because it is not there.
“Children’s eyes are constantly looking at adults. “If adults are afraid and panic, children also experience the same fear.”
