Erasure of Lebanese History in Nabatieh, Southern Lebanon
Nabatieh dates back at least 800 years and the Nabatieh Souq (marketplace) itself dates back to the Mameluke period, approx. 500 years ago. The destruction of the historic marketplace was a deliberate destruction of history, collective memories, stories attached to ancient places, which have all been passed down from generation to generation.
This wasn't the first time that Nabatieh Souq and Nabatieh was targetd by Israel. It was bombed in 1978, 1982, 1993, 1996 and 2006. Israel continues to destroy the city even though the majority of inhabitants have long fled Nabatieh, only cats remained it appeared. This time the destruction is different. The last times, it was possible to return to renovate it. This time, "all the memories have gone, as we ll as the walls, the books, and the photos, which cannot be replaced."