Frontline Heroes: The Untold Struggles of Lebanese First Responders Amid Israeli Airstrikes

Title: The Struggles of First Responders in Beirut Amid Ongoing Conflict

In Beirut, Jad Deeb races toward destruction. As a volunteer paramedic with the Lebanese Popular Relief Association, he responds to the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes. Recently, these attacks intensified when Israel aimed to defeat Hezbollah. Deeb, who once worked in IT, now faces dangerous rescue missions.

The devastation is overwhelming. After airstrikes, he and his team search through rubble for survivors. Sometimes, they find only the dead. The smell of death haunts Deeb and his fellow volunteers. They encounter dismembered bodies and horrors few could imagine. Deeb states, “We are used to the smell of death.”

Their task grows more perilous. The team, composed of around 100 self-funded first responders, often confronts unexploded ordnance. They have paused rescues due to nearby airstrikes. Deeb explains, “Of course we’re being targeted.” Alerts from the Israeli military occasionally warn them to leave areas they are rescuing.

The conflict escalated on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah began attacks in solidarity with Hamas. This led to greater retaliations from Israel, including the killing of Hezbollah’s leader and additional airstrikes in Lebanon. Reports indicate that over 200 first responders and medical personnel have died in Lebanon due to these confrontations.

Human Rights Watch noted possible war crimes, documenting attacks on medical personnel and facilities. The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of hiding fighters within ambulances, a claim Hezbollah denies.

Every day is a struggle for Deeb and his team, made up of individuals from various backgrounds, all committed to helping others. After a long day of rescues, they often return to the emergency center in Beirut, finding small moments of rest between missions. They share stories and cope with their trauma together, often experiencing nightmares from their experiences.

Deeb recalls moments that haunt him—like finding the lifeless bodies of a family crushed in their home. He shares, “You see us rushing with the ambulance, but after all, we are human.”

As they distribute water, food, and medicine to the displaced, they strive to keep hope alive for those around them. Still, fears linger. “If the war continues, it could be us one day soon,” Deeb warns. The memories of Gaza echo in their minds, reminding them of the ongoing threats they face daily.