When the air strike occurred, Mohammed, a 29-year-old civil engineer, was distributing hot meals to elderly neighbors in his village in southern Lebanon. This humanitarian effort had been ongoing since the beginning of Israel’s latest invasion on October 1.
Standing approximately 5 meters (16 feet) from the explosion that destroyed a nearby house, Mohammed suffered severe injuries, including third-degree burns on his abdomen and charred hands. Two weeks later, he remains in pain but is determined to share his experience.
“It was all black, smoke everywhere,” he recalls. “I noticed my two friends were still alive but bleeding a lot.”
In the Nabih Berri government hospital, located just 11 km (7 miles) from the Israeli border, he recounts how there was no warning before the strike. Tragically, the attack claimed the life of a policeman who lived in the targeted house.
“We are not military… Why are we being hit? The areas that are being hit are all civilian areas,” Mohammed states.
Despite ongoing attacks, Mohammed plans to return to his village, Arab Salim, which is still under fire. As another air strike occurs, hospital staff rush to respond to incoming casualties.
Dr. Hassan Wazni, the hospital director, reports that they handle 20-30 casualties a day, primarily civilians. He emphasizes their commitment:
“We take all patients… We don’t discriminate between them.”
The hospital struggles with resources; it requires 1,200 liters of fuel daily to operate its generators and receives no support from the government.
In recent weeks, Nabatieh has faced relentless bombardment. The municipality building was destroyed in an attack that killed the mayor and 16 others during an aid coordination meeting. The historic Ottoman-era market has also been reduced to rubble.
Hussein Jaber, part of Lebanon’s emergency services, expresses deep sorrow for their losses:
“We have been here since we were children… It is really sad to see it like this.”
With over 110 paramedics killed in recent attacks, including Hussein’s colleague Naji Fahes, he reflects on their commitment:
“We will stay… We will be next to the civilians. Nothing will stop us.”
As Israeli drones hover overhead and warnings echo through the city, those who remain—mainly the elderly and impoverished—face an uncertain future.
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