A family from Lebanon has recounted their harrowing journey home, expressing fears that they could be bombed by Israel at any moment, even amid a fragile ceasefire. Samia, a 24-year-old from the village of Beit Lif, was displaced twice during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Displacement and Fear
Samia and 17 family members, including a five-month-old baby, were forced to flee their home on March 3, 2026, after their village was placed on a warning list. They travelled 34 miles to the Matn mountains, surrounded by the sound of bombs. “We didn’t know if we would arrive safely or die on the road,” Samia said. Their temporary home was a waterlogged, unheated two-room apartment, unsuitable for 18 people. Later, they moved to a hotel, but neither place felt like home.
Psychological Toll
“The psychological pressure was immense,” Samia added. “The feeling of living in a place that isn’t familiar, without any options, is breeding despair, exhaustion, and depression.” She volunteered with ActionAid’s partner RDFL, helping displaced children. “People are deprived of their most basic rights,” she said.
Ceasefire and Ongoing Tensions
Despite a 10-day ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump, both Israel and Hezbollah accuse each other of violations. Samia’s family has returned home, but drones still buzz overhead. “True security is still missing,” she said. “It’s not just about the bombing stopping; it’s about living without fear, sleeping peacefully.”
Over 2,300 people have died in Lebanon since the conflict began, compared to 23 in Israel. Israeli strikes have destroyed over 1,400 buildings in southern Lebanon. Samia’s plea: “We just want to live, to live with dignity like everyone else in this world.”
