Decades of Neglect, Not Acts of God
CASE A: The Tripoli Tragedy (2026) News coverage, including The New Arab's report, focuses on the immediate aftermath of the building collapse in Tripoli's Bab al-Tabbaneh district: rescue efforts, fear of further collapses, and the tragic count of 14 dead. The narrative implies a sudden, unforeseen catastrophe, often attributing it to 'old buildings' or 'dilapidated' structures, framing the issue
as an inherent characteristic of the urban landscape rather than a result of neglected public responsibility. Phrases like 'old building collapsed' suggest wear and tear as the primary culprit (The New Arab, 2026). CASE B: The 'Miracle' of Gaza's Survival (2023-2026) Compare this to international media portrayals of infrastructure destruction in Gaza during the 2023-2026 conflict. Reports
frequently highlight the resilience of Gazans in the face of widespread damage, often using language that implies a degree of inherent fragility in Palestinian infrastructure, despite the damage being overwhelmingly due to external bombardment. The destruction is presented as a consequence of conflict, not a failure of internal governance. For example, reports on the destruction of Gaza's
infrastructure often omit the fact that a significant portion was built with international aid money and subject to strict Israeli import controls on building materials for years prior to the conflict, hindering maintenance and repair (UNCTAD, 2023). THE FRAMING: The 'Accidental' versus the 'Inevitable' In Lebanon, the framing is one of localized, albeit tragic, 'accidents' attributable to the age