Mum of twins who says home was bombed in Lebanon speaks to BBC
Mother of Twins Shares Story of Home Bombing in Lebanon
A mother of newborn twins, now seeking refuge in a displacement center, recounted how her home was destroyed by Israeli strikes. “Our home was bombed, and everything I had prepared for the children was gone,” she said in an interview with the BBC. Her family is among the over one million displaced in Lebanon, as tensions with Hezbollah escalate. The southern city of Sidon, Lebanon’s third-largest, has become a major hub for displaced families, many from areas with strong Hezbollah support.
Israeli Evacuation Orders and Counterattacks
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced plans to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, including the demolition of homes near the border. The conflict intensified after Hezbollah retaliated with rocket strikes on northern Israel following the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader. Israel responded by deploying ground troops and launching attacks across Lebanon, despite a ceasefire agreed in 2024. The violence began after a teenage settler was killed, reportedly by a Palestinian driver, leaving at least 10 dead and 27 injured, according to Lebanon’s state-run news agency.
Displacement and Storm Impact
Families like Ghada’s have been forced to relocate, often sleeping in cramped spaces with thousands of others. A recent storm prompted displaced Palestinians to secure their tents to prevent damage. Meanwhile, BBC Verify confirmed a video showing flames at an oil depot in Iran, capturing the disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israeli offensive began on 27 February. Iran’s blockade of the strait has severely impacted trade at the region’s largest port.
Global Repercussions and Verification
Social media footage depicted smoke rising over Tehran’s skyline and a drone crash near the airport, verified by the BBC. Explosions rocked Beirut’s Dahieh suburb during ongoing Israeli air strikes. The UK Government urged British citizens to “shelter in place and register their presence,” suspending flights from Dubai. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the UK’s response to the conflict, countering President Trump’s criticisms. The BBC also explored how Middle Eastern unrest influences global living costs, with Iranians sharing their experiences of life under bombardment.
Escalating Conflict and Casualties
Israel claimed it launched a “wave of strikes” after ordering civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate. Gunfire echoed from the border town of Metula, where the BBC’s Jon Donnison reported what sounded like intense combat. Meanwhile, Ben Chu analyzed the disruption of marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global trade. The strikes on Tehran continue, with combat operations jointly initiated by the US and Israel on 28 February.
