Family Flees Lebanon for Safe Birth in Iraq Amid Conflict

In recent weeks, Lebanon has been engulfed in turmoil as the conflict escalates, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. With hospitals overwhelmed by casualties from ongoing airstrikes and ground operations, many families are finding themselves in desperate situations. One such family, the Ismails, made a harrowing journey from southern Lebanon to Iraq in search of safety and medical care.

Lubana Ismail, who was pregnant at the time, faced a critical situation when she went into labor shortly after fleeing her village with her husband, Fouad Youssef, and their two children. The couple attempted to find a hospital in Beirut or Sidon, but every facility was filled to capacity with the injured and deceased. “No hospital accepted me. We were turned away everywhere until my father suggested we go to Iraq,” Lubana recalled, highlighting the dire circumstances they faced.

With no other options, the family boarded a flight to Najaf, a city known for its Shiite pilgrimage and historical significance. It was there, in a city located 1,000 kilometers away from their home, that Lubana safely gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Zahraa. The proud father, Fouad, shared the challenges they encountered during their evacuation. “At first, we went to Tyre, but a strike hit directly next to us. We decided to go to Beirut, thinking it would be safer, but even on the way, a strike hit near us,” he explained.

The situation in Lebanon has become increasingly dire, with over a million people displaced since Israel intensified its military actions against Hezbollah, a group that has been launching attacks in solidarity with the Palestinians. Imran Riza, the UN humanitarian coordinator, noted that the rate of displacement has surpassed even the most pessimistic predictions, causing extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.

Najaf, while accustomed to catering to the medical needs of millions of pilgrims each year, is now facing an unexpected influx of refugees from Lebanon. According to Iraq’s interior ministry, approximately 5,700 Lebanese have sought refuge in the country so far. For families like the Ismails, the journey to safety has been fraught with uncertainty.

Despite their relief at finding a safe place to give birth, Lubana and Fouad are left grappling with an uncertain future. “We are afraid the war will go on for a long time. What will happen to our children? We were preparing them for school, but now there is no education. Are we going to stay here? Are we leaving? Are we going back to our country?” Youssef pondered, as he watched the news of destruction in Lebanon unfold on his mobile screen.

This family's story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict. As the situation in Lebanon continues to evolve, the plight of displaced families underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and a resolution to the ongoing violence. The world watches as these families navigate their uncertain futures, hoping for peace and stability to return to their homeland.