Mum of twins who says home was bombed in Lebanon speaks to BBC

Mum of Twins Who Claims Home Was Bombarded in Lebanon Shares Her Story with BBC

Residents in the southern city of Sidon, Lebanon, now live in a university repurposed as a temporary shelter, where Ghada, a mother of twins, rests beside her children. She recounted being ordered to flee her home before Israeli strikes targeted the area. “Our home was bombed, and everything I had prepared for the children was gone,” she said in a statement to the BBC.

Lebanon’s Displacement Crisis

Sidon, Lebanon’s third-largest city, has become a key refuge for displaced families, including Ghada, who joins over a million people affected by the ongoing conflict. The city, often called the “gate to the south,” has absorbed many of those fleeing regions with strong Hezbollah support. Israeli forces have intensified their operations in the area, with plans to establish a buffer zone near the border.

Escalation and Retaliation

Hezbollah retaliated by launching rocket attacks into northern Israel after Israel killed Iran’s supreme leader, sparking the Iran war. In response, Israel deployed ground troops and resumed airstrikes across Lebanon, even during a ceasefire agreed in 2024. The military accused the group of rebuilding its military strength. The violence began following the death of a teenage settler, reportedly struck by a vehicle driven by a Palestinian, which left at least 10 dead and 27 injured.

Storm and Verification Efforts

A storm recently swept through the displacement center, prompting displaced Palestinians to secure their tents against potential damage. Meanwhile, the BBC Verify team analyzed footage of a fire at an Iranian oil depot, confirming the incident through evidence of ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Since the US-Israeli offensive began on 27 February, trade at the region’s largest port has suffered heavily due to Iran’s blockade.

Global Implications

As the conflict continues, the BBC’s Nick Marsh explores how Middle East unrest could influence global living costs. Iranians who have fled their country described the hardships of life under bombardment. In the Israeli town of Metula, near the Lebanon border, BBC correspondent Jon Donnison reported sounds of intense gunfire during combat operations. A verified video from a witness showed a drone crashing near the airport, highlighting the scale of the attacks.

UK Advises Citizens to Take Shelter

Following the escalation, the UK Government urged British nationals to “shelter in place and register their presence,” suspending flights from Dubai until further notice. Israeli strikes on Tehran, the capital, persist as operations continue after the initial assault began on 28 February. These attacks underscore the growing intensity of the conflict and its far-reaching impact on regional and international stability.