An NHS doctor who was trapped in war-torn Lebanon with her six-month-old baby and husband has arrived back home safely in Scotland. Manwella Ftouni, her husband Abbas, and their newborn daughter Jana, who are from Glasgow, were stranded in Beirut after fleeing their family town of Abbassieh in the south of Lebanon amidst Israel’s bombardment.
The 28-year-old radiology registrar had travelled to Lebanon with her husband in September to introduce baby Jana to her relatives before returning from maternity leave. However, as the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated, the situation became increasingly dangerous. UK Prime Minister called on citizens to leave Lebanon, and approximately 700 troops were stationed in Cyprus in case of a mass evacuation.
With commercial airlines halting operations in the region due to the ongoing hostilities, the Ftouni family found themselves in a desperate situation. After the Sunday Mail highlighted their plight, the Foreign Office intervened, contacting the family and assisting them in securing a flight out of Lebanon.
Gordon McKee, Labour MP for Glasgow South, who aided in the process, expressed relief that Manwella and her family had safely returned home. He encouraged others in similar situations to register with the UK Government for evacuation updates. During their ordeal, Manwella described the fear and exhaustion they experienced in Beirut, with explosions and gunfire surrounding them.
Now back in Glasgow, the Ftouni family can finally breathe a sigh of relief after a harrowing experience in a conflict zone. The safe return of the doctor, her husband, and their baby daughter highlights the importance of swift intervention and support for citizens caught in dangerous circumstances abroad.