In Tyre, southern Lebanon's largest city, the head of the Civil Defence has turned personal tragedy into a lifelong mission. Ali Safiuddin, who lost his one-year-old daughter in an Israeli strike during the 2006 war, now leads a team that rescues civilians from rubble while navigating the constant threat of being targeted themselves. His story is the focus of a new Al Jazeera Originals film, The Ones We Couldn't Save , which captures the brutal reality of life as a first responder in a region where the official ceasefire has not brought peace. Main Developments Despite the ceasefire that officially covers southern Lebanon, the "Yellow Line"—a security zone Israel claims—remains a flashpoint. Safiuddin described the situation in late June as "relatively normal," noting that strikes have been limited to al-Mansouri and Majadal, two municipalities in Tyre District along the line. The Israeli military is not directly hitting Tyre, but the war continues on its outskirts, within a zone that stretches about 10km (6 miles) inside Lebanon's borders. On April 28, an Israeli double-tap strike in the village of Majdal Zoun killed three of Safiuddin's team members: Hussein Ghadbouni, Hussein Sati, and Hadi Daher. Daher had volunteered with the team since he was 15. The loss hit Safiuddin hard, as he views his men as family. "We have a pact—if anyone dies before the other, we will keep them alive through our mission," he said. Read also: 5 Ways Postcolonialism Shapes Southeast Asia Today To survive, the team has adapted its tactics. Instead of sending one ambulance to a strike site, they now send two: one enters while the second waits outside in case the first is attacked. This precaution reflects a grim reality—Israel has repeatedly targeted first responders and healthcare workers, killing at least 135 of them since the beginning of March, according to the UN. Background Safiuddin's commitment to this work is rooted in a profound personal loss. During the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, he brought his wife and one-year-old daughter, Lynn, to a shelter under the Civil Defence centre, believing it would be safe. Israel struck the building, killing Lynn. The memory haunts him, but it also drives him to save others. "I feel that my daughter, my daughter's soul, is with me," he said. That motivation surfaced again after the 2020 Beirut explosion, when a stockpile of ammonium nitrate detonated at the port, killing at least 218 people. Safiuddin and his team pulled a 14-year-old girl from under three floors of rubble after 18 hours of manual work. "If my daughter were alive, she would have been her age," he said. "This girl remained alive, so I feel that I'm bringing back my daughter's soul." His son, Husein, now 18, serves alongside him in the Civil Defence, but Safiuddin refers to all the men under his authority as "sons." He explained, "Every one of them spent years with me. They lived beside me. I was not merely their station chief, I was their father." Why It Matters The film aims to show the world the reality of Israel's attacks on Lebanon, particularly the toll on civilians and first responders. Safiuddin stressed, "Especially with the assassination of my colleagues, it really showcases the brutality of the war and what Israel is perpetrating—the killing of children, the elderly." The targeting of healthcare workers and rescuers is a violation of international humanitarian law, which protects medical personnel and facilities during conflict. The recent reduction of attacks north of the "Yellow Line" offers some respite, but the threat remains. Safiuddin is using this time to rehabilitate the Civil Defence centre and prepare for the next assault. "But, whatever the circumstances, we're ready with what tools we have—we are ready to do anything. I hope that things will not escalate, but whenever duty calls, we will fulfill it," he said. What's Next Safiuddin's immediate focus is on strengthening his team and the Civil Defence centre, preparing for the possibility of renewed conflict. He remains resolute despite the risks. "I no longer have any fear. I have no fear. I fear for those with me. But I have no fear of war. If I give up on this work, it's like I'm giving up on my daughter," he said. The film, now available on Al Jazeera, is part of his effort to document the sacrifices and horrors faced by first responders in southern Lebanon.