Lebanese refugees who have fled to Syria and sought sanctuary there spoke about the upheaval they've faced and expressed gratitude toward the generous help local people offered in an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network, as their lives were dramatically overturned by the escalating conflict between Lebanon and Israel.
Tens of thousands of Lebanese people have been forced to leave their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring Syria in search of safety. According to Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees representative in Syria, over 30,000 individuals have crossed the border in the past three days alone.
Khalil Al-Bazid, one of the many displaced, expressed the shock and disbelief at the sudden change in his circumstances in the interview.
"More than a month ago, Israeli aggression began in Lebanon and for about a week this aggression has intensified. The bombing expanded to northern Lebanon, including our town of Hermel. We were forced to move to our second country, Syria, to protect ourselves and our families. We made the decision to evacuate areas so that the forces that defend our country can do so more easily. This war has affected us psychologically, morally and economically. I was living a good life, but it was turned upside down," he said.
Al-Bazid also noted that the kind help from Syrian people was a lifeline in the hour of need.
"We had a good lifestyle and suddenly we became refugees. Here are our Syrian friends, we thank Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and those Syrian friends for rescuing us Lebanese people from the horror of war. We arrived yesterday in difficult circumstances to the Syrian border area, always aware of missiles exploding. While our passports being were stamped at the crossing, a missile fell and destroyed many cars and we lost our papers and identity documents. All of our cars were partly damaged. Our destination was Damascus. When we arrived in Damascus, kind people opened their doors to help us. We feel like we are at home, thanks to our Syrian brothers who opened their doors to Lebanese refugees," Al-Bazid said.
The psychological, moral and economic toll of the war was a recurring theme among the refugees. Many like Al-Bazid spoke of the comfortable life they once had, now replaced with the harsh reality of displacement.
"The war affected us, and life changed from normal to displacement. We are suffering from lack of sleep and food, not being in our own homes, and being alienated from our land. We worry about our future and the future of the country. We do not know where it is going. Will the bombing continue or not, will the war stop or continue? The people are hesitant and afraid. They do not know what will happen. Regarding our return, if the war calms down, we will definitely return, but if it does not calm down, we will not return," said Youssef, also a Lebanese refugee in Syria.
Mohsena Al-Abeed, who fled with her family, echoed the sentiments of fear and the unknown future.
"We were displaced here as a result of fear and bombing. Aircraft above us are constantly targeting nearby areas. We fled on foot from fear, as our country was destroyed by the bombing and its security was shaken. Why would we stay there in that situation? The future is unknown, we have nothing to do and don't know what will happen. All we have to do is pray for relief and for Allah to keep all harm and evil away from us and you. We do not know when we will return. We cannot return unless an agreement is reached between them. If an agreement is reached, we will return on foot immediately to our country. We hope to," she said, hoping for a swift resolution to the conflict.
Lebanese refugees in Syria share plight of life being turned upside down
Lebanese refugees in Syria share plight of life being turned upside down
Lebanese refugees in Syria share plight of life being turned upside down
