Abou Chach, Lebanon – We arrive at Abou Chach, which lies a few kilometres from the border with Israel, and, like so many other villages, it has been destroyed by war. We meet a family among a few who have returned to what is still an area of conflict.

Living in what they describe as a ghost town, the Shabbi family has to contend with the destruction around them, with the children missing out on their education because the village school has been destroyed.

“We are living a primitive life,” said Kawthar, noting that her family now sleep in what used to be the cow’s shed.

Like thousands of other people across the region, her family’s home was destroyed by an Israeli strike. After months of low-level hostilities, Israel launched an all-out war in September 2024, with the stated aim of de

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