Displaced Lebanese Families Seek Shelter as Fighting Escalates in the South

Hundreds of families from southern Lebanon are fleeing their homes as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies, seeking refuge in makeshift shelters. Andrea López-Tomàs reports from Beirut, where many have arrived after grueling journeys to find safety.

Among the displaced is Amira, who, alongside her daughter Sara, left their village after Israeli strikes. Now staying in a government shelter near Beirut, Amira struggles with the emotional toll of their displacement, while Sara tries to remain optimistic about their temporary situation.

Thousands of others, including children like 12-year-old Ali, have been forced to leave their homes, many of which have been destroyed. Ali’s family spent 15 hours on the road to reach Beirut, a journey that usually takes just over two hours. Despite the devastation, many displaced Lebanese, including families like Zahra’s, remain defiant, with some expressing support for Hezbollah and a sense of duty toward the fight.

The Lebanese government is overwhelmed, implementing a national emergency plan to manage the mass exodus. Although official numbers are unclear, it is evident that tens of thousands have been displaced by the ongoing violence. López-Tomàs concludes her report by capturing the resilience of those affected, with some women, like Zahra, finding solace in their belief that “our boys will protect us.”