Dr Saad Ramadan, who migrated to Australia in 1991, is among many Lebanese Australians watching in horror as their loved ones flee Israeli attacks in Lebanon. His elderly parents and five siblings left their southern village after receiving warnings of 'indiscriminate Israeli attacks', enduring a 25-hour journey to Beirut due to gridlocked traffic.
The conflict, sparked by Hezbollah rockets launched in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader, has forced tens of thousands from their homes. Ramadan's family now shares a two-bedroom apartment in Beirut with five families. 'They are lucky,' he said, noting the scarcity of rentals.
Gamel Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, said the community is 'beyond resilience'. He cited the compounding effect of rising Islamophobia in Australia, including death threats at mosques. 'We've gone from one catastrophe to another catastrophe,' he said.
Fatima Hassoun, 39, lives in Australia but is mentally in Lebanon. Her family fled south Lebanon to Saida and then Beirut, but found no shelter. Her brother's family lived out of their car for four days before returning south. 'My nervous system is worn out,' she said, struggling with guilt for being safe in Australia.
The Shia Muslim Council noted that unlike previous attacks in 2024, there is little accommodation available and no government support. 'Relatives on the ground are cold, hungry, and exhausted,' directors Ali Alsamail and Julie Karaki said. Fadl, a leukaemia patient visiting Australia, was among those evacuated.
