BEIRUT (AP) — Amid the destruction from Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, Hussein Hamza, a determined animal caretaker, films himself in a car with a scared dog clinging to him. “Look at this poor thing. He’s holding on to me out of fear,” he states in a video he shared online, his voice trembling as he points to where a missile has struck.
The ongoing airstrikes have forced tens of thousands of residents to flee their homes, but Hamza refuses to abandon the animals that remain behind. He operates an animal shelter in the village of Kfour that houses around 200 dogs. Recently, he’s been traveling through the nearby towns and villages, searching for stray animals and pets left without care due to the chaos.
“I make sure to leave food and water for them. I place bags of food far from the shelter, just in case the dogs need to escape if airstrikes come too close,” Hamza shared as he described his efforts to ensure the animals’ survival, relying on faith to guide him through this ordeal.
Israel has significantly intensified its airstrikes across various regions in Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah and its weaponry. However, the toll has been devastating; according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, over 1,000 people have died in the past two weeks, with almost a quarter being women and children.
The Lebanese government estimates that the fighting may have displaced up to a million individuals, while the United Nations provides a lower estimate of around 200,000. Despite the danger posed by constant bombardment, 56-year-old Hamza remains steadfast in his commitment to the animals entrusted to him.
Hamza has taken to social media, sharing videos of his quest to feed animals left behind. His interactions are heartfelt; in one video, he calls out to a dog hiding behind a fence, urging, “Come here! I have food for you.” He pleads with local residents to unleash their pets, noting that many owners had to escape on foot and were unable to take their dogs with them.
Many have reached out to Hamza, hoping he can provide sustenance for their abandoned pets. “I received a distressing call from a man, crying because they had to leave their dogs behind. I quickly got them some dry food,” Hamza recounted, highlighting the emotional strain many are under during this crisis.
Throughout his perilous journey, Hamza has narrowly evaded airstrikes on several occasions. Beyond his dedication to dogs, he also cares for other animals. In one video, he shares, “We found a chicken on the road that had escaped from a truck. I will take it with me to my home.”
Support for Hamza has grown on social media, enabling him to purchase 200 bags of dog food for distribution in the region. However, the risks he faces continue to escalate. “I hope that someone can help lighten my load,” he said as he lifted an elderly stray dog into his vehicle, expressing solidarity with those suffering amidst the violence.
“When airstrikes happen, people panic and don’t know what to do. God help them,” he remarked while delivering food and water to isolated areas.
With increasing concerns over a potential Israeli ground invasion in southern Lebanon, Hamza fears for what lies ahead. Yet, his primary focus remains on the animals he feels responsible for. “As long as I can reach the dogs and provide them with food and water, I will not leave,” he affirmed with determination. “I have a duty. I can’t abandon them.”
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