The Psychological Impact of Israel’s Sonic Booms Over Lebanon

Supersonic Flyovers Wage Psychological Warfare

The people of Lebanon, already grappling with profound economic and social crises, find themselves once again subjected to an oft-overlooked form of psychological warfare. On multiple occasions in recent weeks, Israeli fighter jets have shattered the skies above Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and other parts of Lebanon with sonic booms, exploding windows and terrifying residents. Flying low over populated areas, the sonic shock waves seem designed to exacerbate the collective trauma of a nation still reeling from past wounds. The explosive reverberations are making the conflict felt in areas of Lebanon that had been relatively insulated from the months of bombings and widespread destruction in southern Lebanon.

Israeli military planes fly over Lebanon.

The Psychological Impact

The impact of these sonic booms on people in Lebanon cannot be underestimated, especiallyas we mark the anniversary of the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion. As these distressing sounds ripple across the city, they retrigger the traumatic memories of that catastrophic day, causing many to relive the fear, panic, and grief that still lingers in the hearts of the Lebanese people. Psychologists in Beirut have reported a surge in patients experiencing symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder, with individuals describing flashbacks, panic attacks, and an overwhelming sense of dread and helplessness.

"My 3-year-old son was terrified by the sonic booms. I had to trick him into believing it was 'just fireworks' to calm him down. The fear in his eyes was heartbreaking," says Hisham, an Anera staff member.

One user on Twitter wrote the following:

Farah, another Anera colleague, recounted a harrowing experience, "Just as I was about to enter an online meeting, the ground beneath me trembled, and the windows threatened to shatter. For a brief, terrifying moment, I thought the bombing had begun in Beirut, and panic surged through me as I wondered if I needed to run. As I struggled to steady my breath, another sonic boom hit, rattling not just the house but my very core, leaving fear coursing through my veins and paralyzing my thoughts. Somehow, I gathered myself and joined the meeting, only to find my colleagues equally shaken, their voices reflecting the same shock and fear. We all froze in that moment, gripped by uncertainty, until the news confirmed it was just a sonic boom. Only then could we begin to relax, the tension slowly easing as we anchored ourselves in the relief that, for now, it was not the worst we had feared."

In the face of these incidents, it is crucial to support children who are particularly vulnerable to psychological trauma. Creating safe spaces, offering reassurance, and engaging in age-appropriate discussions can help children process their fears and feel more secure. As for the adults, acknowledging the shared experience of fear and uncertainty, and providing emotional support and mental health resources, can mitigate the long-term effects of such traumatic experiences. Dedicated mental health services must be prioritized to mitigate the long-term effects of such traumatic experiences.

What Are Sonic Booms?

Sonic booms are intense sound waves generated when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, typically around 343 meters per second (1,235 kilometers per hour). As the plane moves faster than sound, it compresses air in front of it into shock waves, creating a powerful and sudden noise that can be heard over large distances. The boom is often perceived as a sharp "crack" or a series of explosive noises, depending on the observer's location relative to the aircraft's flight path. Although sonic booms primarily cause minimal physical damage, such as broken windows, their psychological impact, particularly in ongoing or recent conflict zones like Lebanon and Gaza, can be profound, triggering fear, anxiety, and the resurgence of traumatic memories.

The Long-Term Effects

While the physical damage from these sonic booms might be limited, the psychological toll is immense. Many Lebanese now live in a state of constant anxiety, fearing that each new boom could herald another disaster. This tactic, which some view as a form of collective punishment, exacerbates the already dire mental health crisis in Lebanon, a nation that has seen more than its fair share of suffering.

A man in Lebanon sits in front of destroyed property.

Modern Warfare's Psychological Dimension

In a country where the scars of past conflicts run deep, the deliberate use of sonic booms to invoke fear is a reminder of the multifaceted nature of modern warfare. It's a war not just fought with bombs and bullets but with sound and fear, targeting the very psyche of a nation struggling to hold on to its sanity.

Lebanon has endured enough. The international community must act now to alleviate the suffering and help rebuild a future free from fear and trauma. All parties involved must cease these provocative acts immediately to prevent the escalation into a larger conflict, allowing displaced individuals to return to their homes and rebuild their lives without fear or trauma.

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