South Lebanon Residents Flee Death and Destruction
Last update: March 18, 2026
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Displaced families describe fear, loss and uncertainty.
A mass exodus gripped southern Lebanon as long lines of cars carried residents fleeing heavy bombardment in the Israel-Hezbollah war toward the city of Sidon in search of safety.
Israel has ordered all civilians south of the Zahrani River to evacuate, a zone covering about 14 percent of Lebanon’s territory.
Nidal Ahmad Chokr left his village of Jibchit as air strikes intensified, describing deadly attacks that killed civilians in public spaces. He arrived in Sidon at dawn with only basic belongings.
More than a million people have already been displaced, overwhelming shelters and forcing families to sleep in cars or along the seafront. Aid workers say overcrowding has left many with nowhere to go.
Safaa al Tabl fled with her family from Kharayeb after constant drone strikes and attacks made life unbearable. She said the village was nearly deserted when they left, recalling the trauma of witnessing bodies and destruction.
She hopes to return home but fears continued bombardment or a wider ground offensive, as many remain haunted by memories of past conflicts and occupation.
