Sad, mad and disheartened': for the diaspora, the bombardment in Lebanon is a special kind of loss

Israeli attacks during an extended conflict between Hezbollah and Israel have caused widespread destruction in southern Lebanese villages, displacing more than 1.2 million people, killing thousands, and ordering about 14.3% of Lebanese territory to be vacated. Lebanese diaspora communities abroad, including people in Australia and across Europe and the Americas, have watched from afar and experienced a distinct emotional struggle beyond physical danger. Many have lost familial homes they may not be able to return to, and they feel a severing of connection to a place central to identity. Ali Hamka, living in Sydney, described trying to identify his family home in Bint Jbeil through images and videos, recalling earlier visits that brought comfort and belonging.

"For the last two years, much of the Lebanese diaspora estimated to be about 15 million people spread across Australia, Europe, North and South America and more has held its breath. Much of it watched from afar, helpless, during the latest extended conflict between Hezbollah and Israel as Israeli attacks on their motherland, and particularly its southern villages, resulted in widespread destruction. To date, more than 1.2 million people have been displaced, thousands killed, and roughly 14.3% of Lebanese territory ordered to be vacated."

"But while those within the country endure their own suffering, those in the diaspora face a different, emotional struggle: the loss of familial homes they may not be able to return to, and a severing of connection to a place that is a fundamental part of who they are. There is something especially painful about seeing a home destroyed twice' Ali Hamka works in the construction industry. His family home in Bint Jbeil was among dozens levelled' in attacks in April. He lives in Sydney."

"My grandparents' home was one of many happy memories. When I first went back in 1999, I remember feeling at ease with people I was properly meeting for the first time. These were people who loved you without really knowing you, because your photo had been on a wall. I went back many times afterwards. It is difficult to explain [how I felt when I found out it was destroyed]."

"You are in Australia looking at images and videos, trying to work out which street it is, which building it is, whether it is your family home or someone else's. People outside Lebanon may not realise that many of these towns had become beautiful and prosperous again. The Lebanese diaspora had invested everything into them."

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