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DIAPORAMA

In photos: Daily life in Beirut amid the war

Nearly five weeks have passed since Lebanon was pulled into the war in the Middle East. The war with Israel has already claimed more than 1,200 lives across the country. Since the outbreak of hostilities, Beirut’s southern suburbs — largely deserted by their residents — have come under near-daily Israeli fire, while strikes have also hit buildings in more central parts of the capital. Yet in these neighborhoods, as in those spared the strikes, life goes on as best it can under the shadow of war. Here are a few images capturing daily life shaped by the war.

By L'Orient Today staff, 31 March 2026 10:05

A shopkeeper keeps the television on in his store to follow the news, in Geitawi, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

A shopkeeper keeps the television on in his store to follow the news, in Geitawi, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

In a neighborhood grocery store, the owner tells a customer that the price of bread has risen once again, in Gemmayzeh, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

In a neighborhood grocery store, the owner tells a customer that the price of bread has risen once again, in Gemmayzeh, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

The owner of this cafe in Hamra says the neighborhood has seen a steady stream of activity since the start of the latest escalation, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

The owner of this cafe in Hamra says the neighborhood has seen a steady stream of activity since the start of the latest escalation, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

Since the beginning of the latest escalation, the Barzakh cafe-bookshop in Hamra has been using its space to prepare meals for displaced families. Here, a group is seen preparing sandwiches to be distributed for dinner, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

Since the beginning of the latest escalation, the Barzakh cafe-bookshop in Hamra has been using its space to prepare meals for displaced families. Here, a group is seen preparing sandwiches to be distributed for dinner, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

Men play backgammon in Sassine Square, just a few steps from a group of soldiers, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

Men play backgammon in Sassine Square, just a few steps from a group of soldiers, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

Families spend time at the Raouche amusement park, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

Families spend time at the Raouche amusement park, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

A bar usually packed on weekends has only two customers this Saturday night, in Mar Mikhael, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

A bar usually packed on weekends has only two customers this Saturday night, in Mar Mikhael, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)

On the same topic
  • A shopkeeper keeps the television on in his store to follow the news, in Geitawi, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
    1/7 A shopkeeper keeps the television on in his store to follow the news, in Geitawi, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
  • In a neighborhood grocery store, the owner tells a customer that the price of bread has risen once again, in Gemmayzeh, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
    2/7 In a neighborhood grocery store, the owner tells a customer that the price of bread has risen once again, in Gemmayzeh, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
  • The owner of this cafe in Hamra says the neighborhood has seen a steady stream of activity since the start of the latest escalation, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
    3/7 The owner of this cafe in Hamra says the neighborhood has seen a steady stream of activity since the start of the latest escalation, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
  • Since the beginning of the latest escalation, the Barzakh cafe-bookshop in Hamra has been using its space to prepare meals for displaced families. Here, a group is seen preparing sandwiches to be distributed for dinner, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
    4/7 Since the beginning of the latest escalation, the Barzakh cafe-bookshop in Hamra has been using its space to prepare meals for displaced families. Here, a group is seen preparing sandwiches to be distributed for dinner, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
  • Men play backgammon in Sassine Square, just a few steps from a group of soldiers, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
    5/7 Men play backgammon in Sassine Square, just a few steps from a group of soldiers, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
  • Families spend time at the Raouche amusement park, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
    6/7 Families spend time at the Raouche amusement park, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
  • A bar usually packed on weekends has only two customers this Saturday night, in Mar Mikhael, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)
    7/7 A bar usually packed on weekends has only two customers this Saturday night, in Mar Mikhael, on March 28, 2026. (Credit: Ségolène Ragu/L’Orient Today)