Israel strikes deep into Lebanon’s valley, leaving chaos and destruction
In Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, ambulance driver Samir El Chekieh races toward another Israeli airstrike in the village of El Karak. Samir, a 32-year-old paramedic with Lebanon’s Civil Defense Force (CDF), has had little sleep and no breakfast, yet he and his team stay on call as Israeli strikes escalate across Lebanon.
This current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has spread beyond Lebanon’s southern borders to regions like Baalbek and Sidon. Unlike the 2006 conflict, Israel’s airstrikes now target broader areas, hitting infrastructure, civilian areas, and even a fire station. The CDF, caught in these attacks, has seen rising civilian casualties, including children.
Israel asserts that it’s striking only Hezbollah targets, claiming that it has destroyed much of Hezbollah’s missile stockpile. Yet Hezbollah retaliates daily, firing rockets into Israel.
The BBC team joined CDF crews in Bekaa, witnessing the impact of these strikes. In El Karak, Samir’s team finds destruction—smoke fills the air as they dig through debris. Beneath pancaked floors, they find survivors, including a young boy, Mohammed, who survives with injuries. Many other families aren’t as fortunate; some, like the Hamzeh family, have lost everything. Jawad Hamzeh mourns his three daughters, killed in a strike, one of whom was studying law.
Lebanon’s children have borne heavy losses. UNICEF reports a child is killed daily in these strikes, leaving communities traumatized and mourning. Despite US-led ceasefire efforts, both sides remain entrenched, with no sign of peace. Israel recently issued mass evacuation orders in Baalbek, displacing 150,000 residents in just one day. The displaced now face Lebanon’s cold autumn nights with little shelter.
For Samir and his CDF team, the trauma is lasting. Yet, their resolve is strong. “We’re humanitarians,” Samir says, “we don’t ask who people are or what they believe.” With faith as their guide, they continue their work, finding hope in each life they save.
