A FRANCE 24 team visited Bourj el-Barajneh, a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area repeatedly affected by Israeli airstrikes. Despite the ongoing danger, many residents remain, citing limited options and deep-rooted ties to the community. Established in 1948 following the displacement of Palestinians during the Nakba, the camp began as a collection of tents and has since grown into a densely populated neighborhood with enduring social and cultural significance. Life there reflects long-term resilience amid persistent hardship and lack of formal recognition.
The camp’s evolution from temporary shelter to permanent settlement underscores the prolonged state of displacement faced by Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. While infrastructure remains underdeveloped and resources scarce, daily life continues with a strong sense of identity and community. Residents express determination to stay, even as regional tensions escalate. The situation highlights the complex realities of refugee existence, where survival often means remaining in place despite risk and uncertainty.