An Irish family, who found themselves trapped in Lebanon amid Israeli missile strikes, has safely returned home after being evacuated.
Munir Zabad, 53, along with his wife Ghada, 47, their 24-year-old daughter Ghadir, and 12-year-old son Hassan, made their way back to Kilkenny through Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands on Saturday.
The family traveled to Lebanon to attend Mr. Zabad’s father’s funeral and to celebrate Ghadir’s wedding to Ali Kachab.
Ali Kachab and Ghadir Kabad display their wedding bands
They are now requesting that the Irish Government issue a visa for their new son-in-law, who was unable to join them during the evacuation.
“We had been in a relationship for about four or five years. I wanted to finish my education first. I just completed my master’s degree, so it felt like the right time to get married.”
The families of the newlyweds could not join in the celebration after the wedding ceremony.
Ghadir bidding farewell to her husband Ali Kachab at the airport in Lebanon
Mr. Zabad recounted, “Bombing began in my village of Mansoura, forcing us to find a way to Beirut.”
“I offered a van driver money to take us to Beirut. He accepted us but refused the payment, saying, ‘what good is money to me now.’
The missile strikes also interrupted Mr. Zabad’s father’s funeral.
“We had to bury him in a different cemetery because my village was under attack. But when it’s safe to return, I will lay him to rest beside my mother, as that was his final wish,” he shared.
Mr. Zabad also mentioned distributing chocolates to fellow passengers at the airport to celebrate his daughter’s wedding.
The family has made arrangements for Ali Kachab to stay with friends in Beirut until they can bring him to Ireland.
“The embassy advised us to apply for a family vacation visa, but those can take one or two years to process. His chances of lasting that long are slim,” he explained.
“Irish people are incredibly kind and always willing to assist everyone, regardless of their religion. I urge them to help the people of Lebanon in any way possible,” stated Mr. Zabad.
