Najib Ayyad’s apartment in Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, has been heavily damaged and is likely to be demolished. Overlooking Beaufort Castle, a site of personal significance now occupied by Israeli forces, Ayyad reflects on the changes in his once-familiar surroundings. The castle, a historic fortress, was seized by Israeli forces in May, extending beyond the designated “security zone” in southern Lebanon. The city of Nabatiyeh, a hub in the south, is marked by the constant presence of Israeli drones and artillery strikes, leaving residents like Ayyad struggling to rebuild their lives. With his apartment uninhabitable, Ayyad salvages belongings for his children and stays with his daughter in Beirut. The destruction is evident, with broken concrete and glass littering the area, and electricity knocked out by air strikes. Despite the devastation, there are signs of resilience as residents attempt to piece their lives back together.
QUESTION: How might the ongoing conflict and destruction in places like Nabatiyeh impact the future of its younger residents?
Lebanese who fled the Israeli invasion visit to see what’s left
