VIDEO - A 15-minute drive from Beirut, the cosmopolitan feel of the big city disappears. The atmosphere becomes hostile and suspicious. This is Dahiya, a suburb of the Lebanese capital and a Hizbullah stronghold. Dahiya is home to Hizbullah's elite, including leader Hassan Nasrallah and his family. Along with the airport and part of the sea port, it was the only area near Beirut to be bombed during last summer's war. Getting to this Shiite area is complicated, but not impossible. Journalists' presence must be coordinated with the regional Hizbullah spokesman. Not long ago, Dahiya was almost entirely isolated, with Hizbullah checkpoints preventing any access to the suburb. Today, entrance is still monitors. We were only allowed in once two youths verified with our Lebanese guides that we had authorization to visit the area. Despite the many buildings damaged during the Israel Air Force bombings last summer, residents of the area believe that they are the big winners of the Second Lebanon War. Dahiya is lively, with open stores and restaurants and intense traffic. Repairs of two main bridge thoroughfares and six buildings housing the organization's headquarters, which were bombed in 2006, have almost been completed. Rehabilitation of the area is being led by the Jihad al-Bina company, which belongs to Hizbullah. "We've finished the hard part, which was clearing the rubble. Now we need to rebuild everything anew," said one of our escorts. 'Faith' is one of the most important words in Dahiya. Faith in the Shiite sect, in partnership with Syria and Iran, and in the goal of beating the 'Zionist enemy'. In addition to pictures of Nasrallah and Hizbullah flags, each entrance to the suburb bears a picture of Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, bearing a blessing for residents. Hizbullah's connection with the Iranian regime is open and constitutes a source of pride. Hizbullah sources said that Tehran continues to funnel large stocks of weapons and money for rehabilitation and compensation of Dahiya families. Jews, yes. Israelis, no "Iran invested millions of dollars last year. In addition to repairing damaged buildings, we're also building at least six new ones to house Shiite families. Many people in financial trouble will move there," one source said. "In addition to a new apartment, they will get a monthly salary of $200 from us and schooling for their children – in exchange for supporting Hizbullah," the source said. Many Dahiya residents are proud that they remained in their homes during the war. A former parliament member from Amal (another Shiite opposition group) boasted that he sent his family to a safe place, but stayed put himself, in order to show Israel that Lebanese do not run away. "Allah protects us. And if I would have died during the war, it's a great honor for me and my family," he said. "We have nothing against Jews," he added after a brief pause, "We respect Judaism as a religion. On the other hand, Israelis are a very bad people. Israel cannot be trusted. They want to steal Lebanon from us. "If I will be called to battle, I will be ready. So will my children. I teach them to hate Israel. We'll always be ready against Israel," he said. Rinat Malkes toured Lebanon for Brazilian newspaper O Globo. She concealed her Israeli background. Roee Nahmias contributed to this report