Families flee Israeli air strikes minutes before homes destroyed

Grandmother Um Ahmad says a building just next to their home in southern Lebanon was badly hit by an Israeli air strike. She and her family survived “magically”, she says.

“I just grabbed my grandchildren and ran. A part of our house was in flames.”

They jumped into their car and drove off while more buildings were being bombed in their street. They looked back to see their house was also levelled to the ground.

“At least we know for sure that we don’t have a home to go back to,” Um Ahmed says while trying not to break into tears.

“I don’t want to cry. There is nothing to cry about any more. We lost everything, but thanks to God, we survived.”

They fled to Beirut from a tiny village near the city of Tyre. Their refuge is a classroom that is now a shelter for hundreds of people.

Laundry is draped around the room, hanging off the whiteboard, walls and windows.

Um Ahmed’s two grandsons have disabilities and mental health issues.

She sounds frustrated and angry: “I’m sad for Gaza’s children, but what is our children’s fault?”

We hear a loud bang as emergency teams offload some supplies outside in the corridor. Her younger grandson starts crying.