Mum of twins who says home was bombed in Lebanon speaks to BBC
A Mother’s Loss in the Shadow of War
Amid the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, a mother of newborn twins shared her harrowing experience of losing everything in a home bombed by Israeli forces. She described being told to evacuate her residence before the strikes, only to return and find her carefully prepared supplies for her children destroyed. “Our home was bombed, and all the preparations I had made for my children were lost,” she told the BBC.
The Displacement Crisis in Sidon
Lebanon’s southern city of Sidon, a key gateway to the country’s south, has become a refuge for over a million displaced individuals. Ghada, one of these families, now shares a cramped space with 2000 others in a converted university building. Many of the arrivals come from regions where Hezbollah holds strong support, reflecting the widespread impact of the war.
Israeli Military Actions and the Buffer Zone
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced plans for a buffer zone in southern Lebanon during March, asserting the military would maintain control over a significant portion of the territory. This included the demolition of houses in villages near the border, as part of broader efforts to weaken Hezbollah. The conflict intensified after Israeli forces launched attacks across the country, despite a ceasefire agreement from 2024.
The Escalation of Conflict
Hezbollah’s retaliation began with rocket strikes into northern Israel, following the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader. In response, Israel deployed ground troops and intensified aerial attacks, while Hezbollah continued its rocket campaign. The violence was sparked by the killing of a teenage settler, reportedly struck by a Palestinian-operated vehicle, which resulted in at least 10 fatalities and 27 injuries, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Global Impacts and International Responses
As the conflict deepened, its effects extended beyond Lebanon. Displaced Palestinians faced additional challenges during a storm, with instructions to secure their tents against the wind. The BBC verified footage of a fire at an oil depot in Iran, capturing the disruption to trade in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the UK Government advised citizens to “shelter in place” and register their locations after suspending flights from Dubai. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the UK’s response to the conflict, countering President Trump’s criticisms.
War’s Ripple Effects on the World
Trade through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital maritime corridor for global commerce, has suffered due to Iran’s blockade. The BBC’s Nick Marsh explored how Middle Eastern unrest is influencing international living costs. Social media videos showed flames engulfing a building and a drone crashing near an airport, verified by the BBC. Overnight, explosions shook Beirut’s capital as airstrikes targeted its busiest airport, displacing residents in the suburb of Dahieh.
