Israeli attacks prevent Lebanese from burying their dead in ancestral lands

InternationalIsraeli attacks prevent Lebanese from burying their dead in ancestral landsBy Reuters -Apr 16, 2026BEIRUT: Brothers Ali and Wael ​Sabbagh stood facing the remains of the building that contained their family home for more than 50 years. The ‌site was pounded into rubble by Israeli strikes last week in an attack that killed their mother, brother, and the family’s helper. Their grief has been compounded by their inability to properly bury their mother and brother — a plight shared by other families from south Lebanon. Unable to head to their ancestral lands to ​honor their dead, they are forced to bury them temporarily in Beirut until it becomes safe enough to allow their ​remains to be moved to their final resting place. “We come from the south of Lebanon, from Nabatieh, and ⁠that is being bombarded on a daily basis,” Wael said. “We want them to be buried in the family cemetery, but unfortunately we’re ​unable to do that.” FAMILY CANNOT RISK JOURNEY SOUTH Israel has vowed to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon and maintain control over territory ​up to about 30 km (20 miles) north of Israel’s border. Nabatieh, a major city in the south, has been mostly reduced to rubble. The brothers said they cannot risk the journey south, nor can they send someone in their place for fear of them being killed in the strikes. “Nobody should have to go ​through this. And unfortunately, my brother, sister, and I are not the only ones going through this,” Wael said. “Hundreds, if not thousands, of ​families…are mourning in the same way I am, not understanding what happened.” The Israeli attacks on Beirut last week were some of the most violent strikes on ‌the Lebanese ⁠capital in decades. Across the country, more than 350 people were killed, said Lebanese authorities. More than 2,160 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli attacks since the war between Hezbollah and Israel erupted last month. Hezbollah had lobbed rockets at Israel, prompting Israel to retaliate...