"It felt like we could feel the pressure waves from the bombings washing over us," said Nassar. "The windows shook; the whole building shook. It was traumatising."
The 21-year-old medical student and her family first fled Beirut's southern suburbs for the town of Aley in the mountains around the capital in late August, initially as a precaution. Ismail, 20, and his family joined them for the second time 10 days ago, fleeing the bombardments striking the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahiyeh and driving out residents to other parts of the city and surrounding areas.
The cousins said the family home in the mountains is so full of people that they decided to take a break at the apartment in Baabda, even though it is closer to the airstrikes, but the intense wave of attacks that sent columns of smoke and fire into the sky overnight forced them back to Aley.
The sense of a new reality was compounded yesterday when Lebanon's education minister Abbas Halabi further delayed the start date for the public school year to 4 November, citing "security risks" from the Israeli airstrikes.
Public school buildings across the country have now been converted into makeshift shelters housing more than a million displaced from southern Lebanon and Beirut. UN officials said late last week that almost 900 of the shelters are full.
This story is from the October 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Radical Plan May See Ashes Played Every 18 Months
England and Australia could play two Ashes series every three years from 2027 onwards under a radical two-division plan that is reportedly being considered for Test cricket.
Hammers set to swing axe West Ham offer job to Potter with Lopetegui facing sack
West Ham have asked Graham Potter to become their new manager after deciding to sack Julen Lopetegui.
Gibbs-White sparks cruise past Wolves as Forest extend run
Just as Wolves had started to dream of a brighter future under Vitor Pereira, it was the ghosts of the past that haunted Molineux as their former head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and academy product Morgan Gibbs-White secured a win that puts Nottingham Forest level on points with second-placed Arsenal.
Liverpool's title slips won't matter if rivals cannot take advantage
Slot machine has slowed with three draws in six games but Arsenal remain at arm's length while Chelsea have faltered
Prices Have Risen 800%
Some issues transcend the biggest rivalry in the Premier League, as the sight of a Manchester United banner outside the Kop on Sunday underlined.
Newcastle's cup fortunes will deliver clarity for Howe's future
The manager is desperate to end club's trophy drought as decision awaits over potential rebuild of St James' Park
Arteta to pick strong side as any trophy is 'icing on cake'
Mikel Arteta has insisted injury problems will not distract Arsenal from their attempts to win the Carabao Cup after he confirmed Ethan Nwaneri is the latest forward to be sidelined.
Rashford wanted by Milan as United mull Zirkzee exit
Marcus Rashford is being targeted by Milan regarding a potential loan, with any deal dependent on Manchester United paying a sizeable portion of the forward's salary of about £365,000 a week.
Chelsea Weigh Up Move for Guéhi Amid Injury Crisis
Chelsea's search for defensive reinforcements could see them attempt to re-sign Crystal Palace's Marc Guéhi.
Rugby needs more than one 'superstar', says Bristol's Maher
Bristol's new high-profile recruit Ilona Maher says while she loves being a superstar, rugby needs much more than solely her presence for the sport to continue to grow.