BBC Joins Paramedics on Duty in Lebanon After Israeli Strikes
BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega has joined paramedics on duty in Nabatieh, a southern Lebanese city that has been left largely abandoned following Israeli military strikes. The on-the-ground report offers a stark glimpse into the human toll of the ongoing conflict, as emergency workers continue their efforts in a city that once bustled with life.
Nabatieh, historically one of southern Lebanon's most vibrant urban centres, now stands largely empty as residents have fled amid the wave of Israeli military operations in the region. The city, like many others in southern Lebanon, has been significantly affected by the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has intensified in recent months.
Paramedics have remained among the few still operating in the area, continuing their work despite the dangers posed by ongoing strikes and an environment of widespread displacement. Their presence on the ground underscores the dedication of emergency personnel who stay behind even as civilian populations evacuate.
The conflict has placed enormous strain on Lebanon's already fragile infrastructure and healthcare system. Emergency responders across the south of the country have faced increasingly difficult conditions, navigating damaged roads and depleted resources as they attempt to reach and assist those in need.
The BBC's reporting from the ground provides an important window into the daily reality facing those who remain in affected areas. Bachega's account from Nabatieh highlights not only the physical destruction left in the wake of the strikes, but also the eerie transformation of a once-thriving city into a near ghost town.
The broader conflict has drawn widespread international concern, with humanitarian organisations calling for increased protection of civilians and emergency workers operating in conflict zones. The situation in southern Lebanon remains fluid, with the scale of displacement and destruction continuing to mount as the conflict shows little sign of immediate resolution.
