War’s tragedies deepen Al-Sadaqa sweets owner takes his life over debt

Ali Sadaka, owner of Sadaka Sweets and known as Abu Ali, died by suicide inside his office in Bir al-Abed, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, after a period of severe financial hardship and mounting debts following the war.

Several Sadaka Sweets branches were damaged during the conflict, leaving the business with major losses and making it increasingly difficult to recover. Sadaka reportedly arrived at work that morning, greeted employees, and later went into his office, where he was found dead.

His death adds another tragic dimension to the war’s social and economic toll, which has extended beyond casualties and destruction to businesses and livelihoods burdened by losses and debt.

About a week before his death, Sadaka had been elected to the administrative board of the Southern Suburbs Industrialists Association