Arabic version: عائلة أسترالية تبحث عن ملاذ في جبال لبنان خلال النزاع

An Australian family has fled to Lebanon’s mountains as missile strikes escalate in the region. Ruby Ayass, a Lebanese Australian living near Beirut, described the familiar signs of warfare as the conflict intensifies. Following attacks from the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which began retaliating against Israel, Ayass and her family sought safety in a summer house located in the mountains of Bazaoun.

According to SBS News, Ayass noted that many residents in Beirut are accustomed to conflict, but the recent escalation has left many feeling scared. The night the attacks began, she received messages indicating her school would be closed, prompting her to prepare for an urgent escape.

As residents fled the city, Ayass witnessed heavy traffic as families attempted to leave. One friend of hers was forced to turn back due to bombings in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold for Hezbollah. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, recent bombings have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 39 reported dead and over 140 injured.

Upon reaching the safety of her mountain home, Ayass found the area blanketed in snow. Despite the cold temperatures, she has been receiving numerous messages from friends and family in Australia checking on her well-being. She expressed a sense of resilience among her students, who have faced the ongoing conflict together.

Ayass, who moved back to Lebanon in May 2024, emphasized the need for a resolution to the cycle of violence affecting civilians in the region. Despite the turmoil, she has decided to remain in Lebanon, stating that her family has built a life there and has endured similar conflicts in the past.