The Horrors of War: A Mother’s Tale from the Bekaa Valley
By Orla Guerin
In the hills of the Bekaa Valley, death looms overhead as Israel unleashes a relentless barrage of air strikes, leaving devastation in its wake.
With more than 30 air strikes in just an hour, the toll of casualties continues to rise, with 46 confirmed dead and many more clinging to life in hospitals.
Among the injured is six-year-old Noor Mossawi, lying unconscious in a pediatric intensive care unit with a fractured skull, while her mother Rima holds onto hope and prayers.
As Rima recounts the harrowing moments of the attack that changed their lives, the fear and trauma are palpable.
Amidst the chaos and destruction, the Mossawi family finds themselves caught in the crossfire of a conflict they have no part in.
A Father’s Anguish and a Child’s Innocence
Noor’s father, Abdallah, arrives at the hospital burning with rage, demanding that the world bear witness to the senseless violence inflicted upon his child.
As he pleads for justice, he laments the innocence lost in a war that knows no boundaries.
Israel claims its strikes are targeting Hezbollah, but for families like the Mossawis, the reality is far from the political rhetoric.
With each passing moment, the fear and uncertainty grow, as the sounds of sirens and explosions become the new normal.
A Hospital Under Siege
Dr. Basil Abdallah, the medical director, paints a grim picture of the situation at the hospital, with over 400 casualties admitted since Monday, all civilians.
As the staff grapples with the trauma of treating innocent victims of war, the emotional toll is evident.
With supplies running low and the threat of a prolonged conflict looming, the staff remains steadfast in their commitment to saving lives.
As the violence continues to escalate, the people of Lebanon can only watch in horror as their country is torn apart by forces beyond their control.
