Lead

When Mariam Zein cradles her 11-week-old son Hussein on a mattress on the floor of a training institute near Beirut, she cannot escape the irony. “I was really excited when I was in my ninth month of pregnancy… I never thought he’d be born and there’d be war,” the 26-year-old told AFP, her baby’s nappies and formula wedged near a photocopier, clothes hanging from an improvised line.

Zein is one of hundreds of thousands of women and girls uprooted by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in early March. According to Lebanese authorities, the war has killed more than 2,450 people and displaced over one million. A 10-day ceasefire, which came into effect on Friday, brought some respite — but for the displaced, the future remains uncertain.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from two outlets — AFP (via Dawn) and Deutsche Welle — paints a consistent picture of a humanitarian emergency unfolding in Lebanon’s crammed shelters. Both emphasize the disproportionate toll on pregnant women and new mothers, though they approach the story from slightly different angles.

Dawn’s coverage centers on the personal story of Zein and other mothers like Ghada Issa, who lives in a cramped tent with her family, and Ghada Fadel, who cares for her tiny twin sons in a university classroom. Deutsche Welle, meanwhile, profiles Nour, a 32-year-old who fled her Beirut home while four months pregnant, and includes broader commentary from aid officials on the state of the healthcare system.

The two accounts largely corroborate each other’s reporting. Both cite UNFPA data estimating that 620,000 women and girls are displaced, including about 13,500 pregnant women — of whom 1,500 are expected to give birth within the next month. The main discrepancy appears in casualty figures: Deutsche Welle cites Lebanese health authorities reporting 2,300 people killed and over 7,000 injured, while Dawn reports more than 2,450 killed. The difference may reflect the timing of the reports, as the ceasefire came into effect on different days in each account.

Key Claims

  • Displacement of pregnant women: The UNFPA estimates that of the 1.2 million people displaced, 620,000 are women and girls, including roughly 13,500 pregnant women. Of these, 1,500 are expected to give birth within the next 30 days, according to multiple reports.
  • Impact on healthcare: Access to maternal care is deteriorating rapidly, according to Deutsche Welle. At least 51 primary healthcare centers have closed amid the fighting, which has also killed dozens of medical workers. Aid agencies describe the situation as “catastrophic.”
  • Casualty figures: Lebanese authorities report more than 2,450 people killed and over one million displaced, per Dawn. Deutsche Welle reports figures of 2,300 killed and 7,000 injured, citing the same authorities — the difference likely stems from reporting dates.
  • Personal experiences: Mariam Zein stopped breastfeeding due to lack of privacy and now struggles to buy baby formula. Nour, who asked that her last name not be published, described focusing on staying calm while fleeing intense shelling: “Being pregnant makes everything heavier — not just physically, but emotionally,” she told Deutsche Welle.

Perspectives

The humanitarian perspective, as voiced by Anandita Philipose, Lebanon representative of the UNFPA, is unequivocal: “The situation for women and girls in Lebanon is catastrophic.” This is reflected in the organization’s efforts to support women as authorities struggle to cope.

The mothers themselves offer a more intimate lens. For Mariam Zein, the pain is not just logistical but emotional. “Whatever happens I just want my son near me,” she said. Her story — of fleeing with an 11-week-old, not knowing if her home is still standing — underscores the personal cost of the conflict.

Nour’s account adds a layer of anxiety about the unborn. “I keep asking myself if my baby is safe inside me,” she said. Her decision to leave her home, made just days before the ceasefire, highlights the volatile conditions that forced thousands to flee.

The Lebanese authorities’ figures — though subject to minor discrepancies — paint a stark picture of the conflict’s toll, with a healthcare system pushed “to the brink of collapse” according to Deutsche Welle. As the ceasefire’s expiration looms, the fate of these women and their newborns remains precarious.