Blood-stained rescue workers, crumbling bombed-out buildings and human misery, are an everyday scene for children in Beirut, who had normal teenage lives two weeks.
Yesterday was the worst day of violence since the conflict began, and trying to survive this madness are the children of Lebanon, but how often do we hear their voices?
Two young reporters Fayyaz, 17, and Becky, 17, from the news agency Children’s Express, break the silence. Despite resistance from officials in the political party Amal who stopped us speaking to some Lebanese children we have managed to give four young people the chance to speak. This is their story.
A Day in the Life of Ali
Ali, 16, lived with his parents in Nabatieh, just outside Beirut. He has been forced to move as his home was bombed by Israelis. He now lives in an old cinema with his family and hundreds of others taking refuge there. It’s being used as a temporary refugee centre.
What was life like before the bombings?
During the summer the beaches are full. I really enjoyed going out and swimming in the sea. Life was easier before.
What was it like being evacuated?
It was chaos with bombs going off everywhere. We got in a car and put a white flag on it to indicate we were trying to leave the area. We tried to go to my aunt’s house which is in a safer area, however there were just too many refugees heading the same way, we couldn’t get in. So we found the only place that would take us, the cinema.
How close are you to the bombings?
Yesterday there were planes flying so low they scared people. They are supposed to be targeting military sites, but they are targeting civilians. I don’t feel safe here, the area we fled from seems safer. Yesterday was the worst day. It was really scary.
Have you seen people injured?
My neighbour’s building got bombed. Rescue workers and the Red Cross came to save people but the bombing continued and killed the people who were trying to help. My neighbour got killed. We are not military targets, so why bomb us?
Where have your friends been evacuated to?
Everyone in my family who couldn’t escape has come together in two houses. My friend now lives in a house with fifty people.
How has your life been changed by the bombings?
I spend all day in the cinema and half an hour outside to get fresh air. NGOs bring food once or twice a day. The only thing we can do is sit and wait for food. I have no control over my life.
Will it ever return to normal?
When you have seen relatives lose their homes or die, and their cars, their lives and their possessions go, the memory stays with you. I can’t forget or go back to normal.
Who do you blame for the bombings?
I blame the Israelis, they were planning to do it anyway they just needed an excuse. Israel has attacked Lebanon, but at least with Hezbollah, there is resistance to protect our dignity.
If you could change the situation what would you change?
If they are going to fight they should make it military against military and stop bombing civilians and civilian areas, because in Lebanon now it’s only civilians who suffer.
A Day in the Life of Kadeem
Kadeem, 17, is Catholic and fled Beirut for the mountains when the bombings started. He was studying to get into Lebanon’s International University, but for him and his friends that dream has now been jeopardised.
Who would you blame for the conflict?
You cannot blame anybody, because both sides are as culpable as each other. They should both be blamed.
Can you sympathise with Israel’s position?
I think Hezbollah is wrong because they’re launching missiles on Israel, but this does not justify Israel bombarding houses, people and children. Most of the deaths now are children.
Do you wish Britain and other Western countries would do more to resolve the conflict?
Yes, I think it would be better because this is not a conflict for Lebanon, but a conflict of the world, that’s happening in Lebanon.
Do you ever feel angry seeing people in your country having to flee?
Yes I do. I have friends who used to live in the South but fled and came here. I had to help them find a house. I felt very bad for them.
What would be your solution to the conflict?
It would be a ceasefire, at all costs. They have to stop, even if they don’t agree on the points, they have to stop, and then the conversation should begin between the two countries. This is hurting Lebanon, hurting our country and Israel. Nobody can win this war. War is wrong.
A Day in the Life of Wasim
Wasim, 14, still lives in West Beirut but now in overcrowded conditions. Six families now live in his family’s one bedroom house. Wasim now helps the injured and displaced and works 16 hours as a volunteer at the many refugee centres.
How has your life changed because of the bombings?
I have seen bloodshed, injuries and suffering. It’s hard to see people from my country like this. I’ve got used to the day to day bombings, but it is not good. After all I’ve seen, other peoples lives may go back to normal, but not mine. I must do something to help the refugees, it would be wrong not to. I deliver and cook food for the refugee centres. I spend most of my day trying to help.
What effect does it have on your life?
I don’t go out. I can’t think about tomorrow. My outlook and ambitions have changed because of the war. I can’t think about my life at all now.
Has your community been drawn together or apart because of the conflict?
We have been torn apart. Some of my family support Hezbollah and some support Amal. The community are joined because we are all Shi’a, but there are differences over politics.
If you could do one thing to change the situation what would it be?
I would do anything to stop the bombing.
A Day in the Life of Zainab and Fatma
Zainab, 15, and Fatma, 13, are cousins, forced to flee the bombs falling on their village in South Lebanon. They used to study and meet friends at Internet cafes but now they live in an old cinema and spend hours driving around dodging Israeli bombs.
What was your evacuation like?
We had to move to a neighbouring village when the Israelis were bombing ours. My uncle, who lives in Beirut, told us all to leave because Israel could target any Southern village at anytime. He came in his car and took us to Beirut. As we left we heard the bombings, and saw the village destroyed.
Is Beirut getting bombed now?
Yes, the explosions are so powerful everyone can hear them.
Have your friends and family been drawn together because of the evacuations?
They have all been separated, some of my friends went to the mountains and some went to another neighbourhood.
What are your lives like now?
Everyday it’s the same thing. We wake up, have breakfast, and watch cartoons because it’s the only thing to do in the cinema. We watch for an hour or two, but we get bored. We can’t leave the building, but we sit outside for a while and go back in.
Have you found it difficult to live in the cinema, in cramped conditions?
Yes, we find it very difficult. We live in rooms with dozens of other people. If have to take turns to have showers. There’s one bathroom for each room. We feel locked up inside, because we can’t leave. We don’t get to go out like we used to.
Do you think this conflict will have a lasting impact on your lives?
Our lives have changed, we don’t know if we will see all our friends again. It’s the first time we’ve seen so many Lebanese kids on the news, they are injured and dying. We weren’t exposed to such things before. Now we see the reality of Israel’s power.
Two weeks ago the lives of Zainab, Fatma, Ali, Wasim and Kadeem were turned upside down. As teenagers in Britain, we can visualise what we hope to do tomorrow, next week and next month. For the young people in Lebanon the next hour is the only hour that matters.
About this team
This story was produced by Rebecca Bridges and Fayyaz Muneer, both 17 years old. It was published in New Internationalist magazine and an edited version appeared on the Reach for the Sky website
