2026.06.20 14:04 GMT+8

No way back: Lebanon's story

Updated 2026.06.20 14:04 GMT+8
CGTN

As the world marks World Refugee Day, this powerful documentary takes you deep inside Lebanon, where a fragile ceasefire has failed to heal the wounds of months of devastating conflict. From the shattered streets of Nabatieh, where entire apartment blocks were flattened and families mourn loved ones lost under the rubble, to overwhelmed Civil Defense rescuers who are themselves becoming targets, this report reveals the true human toll. We meet a grieving father who lost his son yet stays behind to provide water for his neighbors as an act of resistance. We follow displaced families from border villages living in school classrooms, struggling daily with no money for rent or food, and farmers watching as more than 22% of Lebanon's agricultural land, including more than 1,500 greenhouses, lies in ruins, threatening the nation's food security. In Beirut and Tyre, thousands remain in temporary shelters, wondering if they will ever rebuild their homes and lives. Ministers, officials, and ordinary citizens share the harsh reality on the ground as Lebanon grapples with destroyed infrastructure, a crippled economy, and an uncertain future. At the same time, hopes for a wider regional de-escalation have been shaken. A new US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding aimed at addressing the broader war, including key provisions related to Lebanon, saw planned technical meetings in Switzerland suddenly cancelled, casting fresh doubt over fragile truces and the prospects for lasting peace. As spillover effects from the wider Middle East conflict continue to destabilize the region, this report captures both the resilience of the Lebanese people and the immense challenges that lie ahead. CGTN's Evangelo Sipsas brings you this exclusive on-the-ground documentary from southern Lebanon and Beirut. Watch until the end to understand the full scale of destruction and the human stories behind the headlines. Subscribe for more exclusive international reports from the Middle East and beyond. Like if you believe these stories need to be heard. Share your thoughts in the comments and share with friends.

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