Mum of twins who says home was bombed in Lebanon speaks to BBC
Mum of Twins Who Says Home Was Bombed in Lebanon Speaks to BBC
A mother of newborn twins, currently sheltering in a displacement centre in Lebanon, described how her home was struck by Israeli artillery before planned strikes. “Our home was bombed, and everything I had prepared for the children was gone,” she told the BBC. Ghada is among over one million displaced individuals in the country, as Israel escalates its military campaign against Hezbollah.
Sidon Becomes a Hub for Displaced Families
Lebanon’s third-largest city, Sidon—referred to as the gate to the south—has become a major refuge for displaced families. The city now hosts more than 2000 people, including Ghada and her babies, in a converted university. Many of these families fled areas with strong Hezbollah support, highlighting the conflict’s regional impact.
Buffer Zone and Demolitions Announced
In March, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz outlined a plan to create a buffer zone within southern Lebanon, maintaining security control over a significant portion of the territory. He also stated that all Lebanese villages near the border would be demolished. This move follows Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel, which were a retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Iran’s supreme leader at the start of the Iran war.
War Triggers Evacuations and Air Strikes
Violence erupted after a teenage settler was killed, reportedly by a Palestinian driver. At least 10 people died and 27 were injured, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. The Israeli military launched “a wave of strikes” hours after ordering civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes. In the border town of Metula, BBC correspondent Jon Donnison captured the sounds of intense gunfire.
Global Impact of the Conflict
Meanwhile, the war has disrupted trade in the Strait of Hormuz. Social media footage shows flames engulfing buildings in Tehran, with smoke rising over the city’s skyline. BBC Verify confirmed a video of an oil depot fire in Iran, demonstrating the effect of the US-Israeli offensive. Marine traffic through the vital waterway has suffered as Iran’s blockade continues.
UK Response and Advice to Nationals
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed criticism from US President Trump, defending the UK’s stance on the conflict. The government advised British citizens to “shelter in place and register their presence,” suspending flights from Dubai until further notice. Despite a ceasefire agreed in 2024, Israel has carried out near-daily strikes on Hezbollah, aiming to neutralize its military resurgence.
Displaced Palestinians in the region were warned to secure their tents against strong winds. The BBC’s Dan Johnson interviewed Iranians near the border, discussing their perspectives on the war and regime. Additionally, BBC reporter Nick Marsh explored how Middle East unrest could influence global living costs.
