Kathmandu— Ali Safiuddin leads the Civil Defence in Tyre, southern Lebanon’s largest city, where he has dedicated his career to responding to bombings and shelling that continue despite an official ceasefire with Israel. His commitment is deeply personal: Safiuddin lost his young daughter, Lynn, when an Israeli strike hit the Civil Defence center during the 2006 war, a tragedy that fuels his determination to save others. The new Al Jazeera Originals film, *The Ones We Couldn’t Save*, documents Safiuddin's work and the constant threat faced by first responders in the region.

Persistent Threat Along the ‘Yellow Line’

Although a ceasefire is officially in place, Israeli military strikes continue to occur along the “Yellow Line,” the demarcated security zone claimed by Israel within Lebanese borders. Safiuddin noted that while Tyre itself has seen relative calm, attacks persist in nearby municipalities like al-Mansouri and Majadal. This ongoing conflict necessitates constant readiness from his team, despite the respite from direct strikes on the city.

A Personal Loss Fuels Lifelong Service

Safiuddin’s dedication to rescue work is inextricably linked to the loss of his daughter Lynn during the 2006 war. He brought his family to shelter at the Civil Defence center, believing it would be safe, but an Israeli strike proved otherwise. “I feel that my daughter, my daughter’s soul, is with me,” he said, explaining how her memory motivates him to continue saving lives. This sentiment was powerfully reinforced when rescuing a 14-year-old girl after the 2020 Beirut port explosion; Safiuddin saw in her survival a way to reconnect with his lost daughter.

First Responders as Targets

The dangers faced by Safiuddin and his team are escalating, with Israel repeatedly targeting Lebanon’s first responders and healthcare workers. The UN has documented at least 135 such casualties since the beginning of March. This pattern has forced the Civil Defence to alter its operational procedures, deploying ambulances in pairs – one entering a strike site while another waits nearby for potential emergencies. On April 28th, three members of Safiuddin’s team were killed in a double-tap strike in Majdal Zoun: Hussein Ghadbouni, Hussein Sati and Hadi Daher.

A Family Affair and Shared Grief

Safiuddin's commitment extends to his family; his 18-year-old son, Husein, now serves alongside him in the Civil Defence. He views all of his team members as extended family, forged through years of shared experience and risk. The loss of colleagues is deeply felt, but Safiuddin maintains a pact with his team: to honor those who fall by continuing their life-saving mission.

Preparing for Future Assaults

Despite the recent reduction in attacks, Safiuddin remains vigilant, using periods of relative calm to rehabilitate the Civil Defence center and prepare for future Israeli assaults. He emphasizes that fear no longer controls him, but concern for his team does. “I hope that things will not escalate,” he said, “but whenever duty calls, we will fulfill it.”

Safiuddin continues to lead the Civil Defence in Tyre, balancing grief with a steadfast commitment to protecting his community and honoring the memory of those lost.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.