The humanitarian situation in Lebanon has worsened as ongoing Israeli strikes focused on Hezbollah targets have resulted in over 3,600 deaths and more than 11,000 injuries. In areas where access remains too hazardous for traditional burials, communities in cities like Saïda have created temporary burial sites. These makeshift cemeteries serve as resting places for the deceased, many of whom cannot be returned to their ancestral homes due to continued conflict and destruction. The lack of safe passage and stable conditions has turned these spaces into permanent fixtures of grief and displacement.
Reporters Antonia Kerrigan and Elena Volochine document the emotional toll of this reality, capturing scenes from these temporary resting grounds where families mourn without the ability to perform customary rites. The presence of unmarked graves and makeshift markers underscores the scale of loss and the disruption of normal life. Amid relentless violence, these sites stand as silent witnesses to a population enduring both physical and psychological strain, with no clear end to the suffering in sight.