IDF said bombed apartments were Hezbollah base - but most killed were civilians

In a quiet village in southern Lebanon, a tragic event unfolded that would leave a lasting impact on many families. Julia Ramadan was filled with fear as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated. She had a nightmare about her home being bombed, which made her even more anxious. In a moment of panic, she sent a voice message to her brother Ashraf, who lived in Ain El Delb, urging him for help. Ashraf, wanting to comfort his sister, assured her that it was safe at his place and encouraged her to come stay with him until the situation improved. Trusting her brother, Julia decided to leave her apartment and join him. However, the very next day, on September 29, their lives were shattered when Israeli missiles struck their apartment building. This attack turned out to be one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing conflict, resulting in the collapse of the entire six-story structure and claiming the lives of 73 individuals. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the building was targeted because it was a Hezbollah command center and that they had eliminated a Hezbollah commander in the strike. They claimed that 'the overwhelming majority' of those killed were confirmed to be operatives of Hezbollah. However, a thorough investigation by the BBC revealed a different story. They identified 68 of the 73 victims and found that only six had any connection to Hezbollah's military wing. The remaining 62 victims were innocent civilians, including 23 children. Among the deceased were babies, school teachers, and entire families who had sought refuge in the building to escape the violence. Julia and Ashraf had always shared a close bond, confiding in each other about their lives. On that fateful day, they had just returned from distributing food to families displaced by the fighting. Ashraf was in the shower while Julia was in the living room with their father, helping him with a video upload. Their mother was in the kitchen when disaster struck. Suddenly, they heard a deafening explosion, and the building shook violently. Ashraf called out for Julia, and she responded, but chaos ensued as dust and debris filled the air. Ashraf's heart raced as he tried to calm his sister, but another missile struck, trapping him under the rubble. He could hear his father calling out, assuring him that Julia was still alive, but he could not hear their mother. Hours passed as Ashraf waited for rescue, listening to the cries of those searching for their loved ones. He prayed desperately for Julia's safety. Eventually, he was pulled from the wreckage, but the news was devastating. His mother had been rescued but later died in the hospital, and Julia had suffocated beneath the debris. The pain of losing his sister was unbearable. In November, a ceasefire was reached between Israel and Hezbollah, but the scars of that day remained. Families continued to visit the site of the attack, searching for remnants of their loved ones. Ashraf returned to the rubble, hoping to find something that would remind him of the happy times they shared. He discovered a teddy bear that had once been his, a symbol of his lost childhood and the memories that would never fade. He expressed his sorrow, saying, 'Nothing I find here will make up for the people we lost. ' This heartbreaking story highlights the devastating impact of war on innocent lives and the enduring grief that follows.