An Irish family recently found themselves caught in the chaos of Israeli missile strikes while in Lebanon, but they have safely returned home after a harrowing evacuation.
Munir Zabad, aged 53, alongside his wife Ghada, 47, their 24-year-old daughter Ghadir, and 12-year-old son Hassan, touched down in Kilkenny on Saturday after making a stop at Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands.
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The family had journeyed to Lebanon for two poignant reasons: to honor the memory of Mr. Zabad’s late father and to celebrate Ghadir’s nuptials to Ali Kachab.
In a heartwarming moment, Ghadir and Ali proudly displayed their wedding rings, symbolizing a love that has weathered much.
However, their joyous occasion was overshadowed by turmoil. The Zabad family is currently seeking assistance from the Irish Government to secure a visa for their newlywed son-in-law, who was unable to leave Lebanon with them.
“We have been in a relationship for about four or five years. My plan was to finish my education first. I just completed my master’s degree, so it felt like the perfect moment to tie the knot,” Ghadir expressed.
Tragically, the families of the newly married couple couldn’t partake in the traditional celebrations after the ceremony, leaving them with bittersweet memories.
Mr. Zabad recounted the harrowing experience of bidding farewell to his daughter’s husband, Ali Kachab, at the airport in Lebanon. He described how their village, Mansoura, came under attack, forcing them to flee towards Beirut.
“Bombardments began in my hometown, prompting us to find a way to safety in Beirut,” Mr. Zabad recalled. “I offered a driver money to transport us. Surprisingly, he refused the cash, saying, ‘What good is money to me in this chaos?'”
The anxiety didn’t stop there. Mr. Zabad had to endure the heart-wrenching ordeal of burying his father amidst missile strikes that disrupted the funeral service.
“We were compelled to bury him in another cemetery because our hometown was under siege. Once it’s safe, I intend to move him to rest beside my mother, as that was his final wish,” he shared somberly.
In a touching gesture to uplift spirits among fellow evacuees at the airport, Mr. Zabad distributed chocolates, intending to celebrate his daughter’s marriage amid the turmoil.
As for Ali Kachab, arrangements have been made for him to stay with friends in Beirut until the family can facilitate his move to Ireland.
“The embassy advised us to apply for a family vacation visa, but the wait is incredibly lengthy—often taking one to two years to process. Under the current circumstances, I fear for his chances of survival during such a drawn-out period,” Mr. Zabad lamented.
In his appeal for compassion, he added, “The Irish people are incredibly kind-hearted and always willing to lend a hand to anyone, regardless of their faith. I would urge them to extend their support to the affected people in Lebanon in any way they can.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
