Lebanon - September 29, 2024

[Note: undated footage]

Thousands of Lebanese families have fled their homes and sought refuge in makeshift shelters as Israeli airstrikes continue to pound southern Lebanon, plunging the country into a state of fear and uncertainty.

The relentless bombardment, which the Israeli Defense Forces claim targets only Hezbollah positions, has triggered widespread panic among residents, who fear their homes could be caught in the crossfire.

Parks, sidewalks, and even spaces under bridges have turned into makeshift shelters for thousands fleeing southern Lebanon, desperate to escape Israeli airstrikes.

Bayssour, a once-peaceful community overlooking the capital on Mount Lebanon, has become a refuge for displaced families.

A senior resident shared doubts about safety and security in dealings with Israel, emphasizing regional displacement and uncertainty amid escalating tensions.

"The reality is, when it comes to a country like Israel, nothing is truly safe. Of course we don't feel secure dealing with Israel. We're facing a situation where displacement in our region has become severe, around 1,000 to 5,000 people already displaced. If things get worse tomorrow, no one really knows what to do. But one thing we do know is that with Israel, safety is an illusion," he said.

Another resident condemned Israeli indiscriminate violence in Lebanon, saying that fear won't deter them from staying in their homeland.

"The violence Israel unleashes on any place in Lebanon is in fact a direct targeting to every village, every town, every Lebanese person. Are we afraid? I'll be honest--No, we're not. Because if we were afraid we would have left our homes and our villages. I don't want to go to any other country, to be honest," the resident said.

Further north, in the Sunni village of Kayfoun, residents are also considering leaving their homes as the violence spreads to previously untouched areas. Some are heading to the city of Sidon, hoping there will be less risk violence in a place where so many refugees have gathered.

"To be honest, with Israel, there is no safe zone. At least, till now Sidon as a city remains -- well, I can't say safe, but we can still move around. We've got about 13,000 displaced people in the city scattered across homes, schools, refugee centers," said a local woman.

The conflict has already claimed over 1,000 lives, including women and children, and injured thousands more. Families have been torn apart, and entire communities are living in fear.

Amid the devastation, even basic necessities like food, water, and medical care are becoming harder to find. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and aid organizations are struggling to keep up with the rising number of casualties.

In Bayssour and Kayfoun, once far removed from the conflict, people now live in fear that their communities could soon be engulfed by the violence.

SHOTLIST:

Aley District, Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon - Recent
1. Various of displaced people under bridges, in sidewalks, traffic;
2. Mount Lebanon, buildings;
3. Various of residents of community Bayssour;
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) resident (name not given)(starting with shot 3):
"The reality is, when it comes to a country like Israel, nothing is truly safe. Of course we don't feel secure dealing with Israel. We're facing a situation where displacement in our region has become severe, around 1,000 to 5,000 people already displaced. If things get worse tomorrow, no one really knows what to do. But one thing we do know is that with Israel, safety is an illusion.";
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) resident (name not given):
"The violence Israel unleashes on any place in Lebanon is in fact a direct targeting to every village, every town, every Lebanese person. Are we afraid? I'll be honest--No, we're not. Because if we were afraid we would have left our homes and our villages. I don't want to go to any other country, to be honest.";
6. Various of traffic;

Lebanon - Recent
7. Various of smoke rising from airstrikes;

Aley District, Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon - Recent
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) resident (name not given)(starting with shot 7):
"To be honest, with Israel, there is no safe zone. At least, till now Sidon as a city remains -- well, I can't say safe, but we can still move around. We've got about 13,000 displaced people in the city scattered across homes, schools, refugee centers.";

Lebanon - Recent
9. Various of rescuers, machines working to clear destroyed buildings;
10. Rescue operation in progress;

Aley District, Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon - Recent
11. Various of clothes drying in residents' homes;
12. Residents at community;
13. View of Beirut seen from Mount Lebanon.

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