'The bombs were everywhere' - the people fleeing Lebanon air strikes

  Israel's attacks on Hezbollah targets have had terrifying effects on local civilians, who have been forced to flee place after place in search of safety.

Cross-border attacks by Israel and Hezbollah have left tens of thousands of people displaced on both sides.

In Lebanon, recent Israeli air strikes have killed 600 people and left thousands of injured and another 90,000 newly displaced.

Some of those abandoning their houses told the BBC of their experiences, leaving their possessions behind and having to rely on strangers to survive.

Among them is Valentine Nesser, a journalist who fled southern Lebanon with her mother and brother on Monday, when an intense bombardment made it Lebanon's deadliest day in decades.

"We went to Mount Lebanon, about 30 minutes from Beirut, which is currently considered a safe zone," she said.

The journey took them 15 hours because of severe traffic jams as thousands tried to get away.

"We came here without anything, because the bombs were everywhere and we want to be safe as soon as possible," she added.

"We are staying in a hotel that's been converted into a displaced centre and there are more than 300 people here now, with the number increasing. 

"We have, like, 50 people in the same room. Many people still haven't found a place to stay and some have been forced to sleep in their cars."

She said local authorities were providing food and water, adding that although she had lived through periods of conflict before, this time was different.

"This time is more tension, more sadness, more anger."

FULL ARTICLE AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly3g1dplppo