In response to rising hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, thousands of Lebanese citizens have sought refuge in neighboring Iraq, marking an intensifying exodus spurred by escalating violence and recent incidents in Gaza.

Following the September 27 killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, many Lebanese, particularly from southern regions, have voiced a growing sense of fear and urgency to escape the volatile landscape.

Among them is 42-year-old mother of two, Dalia Hourani, who fled her southern Lebanon home in early October and settled temporarily in Baghdad.

Hourani, who arrived in Iraq accompanied by her two young children, two Filipino domestic workers, and her dog, represents a wave of Lebanese civilians seeking safety and stability.

A Lebanese national scarred by the 2020 Beirut port explosion, she described the decision to leave her homeland as driven by a deep desire to provide her children with a future untouched by war.

“We knew we were next,” Hourani said, referring to her anxiety as she watched Israel’s intensified campaign in Gaza. “Now, I am done with the whole region. People elsewhere live lives that do not involve war.”

As an affluent individual, she was fortunate to secure a regular flight to Baghdad, where visa procedures for her domestic staff proved the most challenging aspect of her relocation.

The Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon in the past year have left a heavy toll, claiming the lives of more than 2,400 Lebanese citizens, according to Lebanese officials.

The toll has only grown since hostilities began escalating in recent weeks. The conflict has targeted hospitals, schools, and infrastructure, leading many to compare the widespread destruction with the devastation in Gaza.

Lebanon’s departure of civilians to Iraq has also revealed layers of complexity in their movement. The Iraqi government has largely facilitated the arrival of Lebanese refugees, easing travel requirements to expedite safe entry.

At an October 5 press conference in Baghdad, Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesperson Miqdad Miri confirmed that more than 5,000 Lebanese nationals had arrived via Baghdad and Najaf airports in recent weeks. However, the entry process has not been entirely straightforward for all.

For larger Lebanese families who could afford the arduous journey and had a vehicle, the al-Qaim border crossing with Syria became the preferred route.

The journey, however, was marred by obstacles. Families described navigating a series of Syrian government checkpoints, where they encountered delays and even demands for bribes.

After enduring long hours on the road and the arid desert conditions, assistance awaited in Albu Kamal, Syria, from Iraqi volunteers affiliated with religious shrines in Karbala.

The city of Karbala, home to one of Shia Islam’s most revered sites, has opened its doors to these displaced Lebanese families, providing temporary residence and resources as they attempt to restore a sense of normalcy. Many are now housed in hotels and residential accommodations, trying to adjust to life away from home.

With Lebanon’s crisis worsening and Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah expanding, Iraq has emerged as a critical sanctuary for those who can no longer remain in Lebanon.

The Iraqi government’s open-door policy for Lebanese refugees reflects a growing solidarity within the region, though the long-term impact of this displacement remains uncertain.

As tensions continue to escalate, many Lebanese nationals, like Dalia Hourani, are left wondering if and when they will be able to return to their homeland — and at what cost.