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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
William Christou in Zefta; photographs by Oliver Marsden

A dog saved Houssein Hamze from a bomb. When war returned, he stayed to care for Lebanon’s animals

Houssein Hamze feeds two camels from a bowl at an animal shelter in Lebanon
Houssein Hamze stayed to take care of animals during the 2026 Israel-Hezbollah war, despite the constant risk of death from Israeli drone and airstrikes. Photograph: Oliver Marsden

During Israel’s 2006 war against Hezbollah, Houssein Hamze woke up one night to the sound of barking. Alarmed, he got up to check on the dog – his first rescue pet. Moments later, a bomb dropped next to his home and a piece of shrapnel landed right where he had been sleeping.

“I swear to God, he really saved me from death. Animals always possess a sixth sense we don’t have,” Hamze said.

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