Lebanese students caught in the crossfire

Tripoli, Lebanon – Walking in his school’s courtyard, Houssam el-Meer, the principal of the Bab el-Tebbeneh Middle School, watches protectively over his students. The children are splashing water at each other and playing basketball. Suddenly, heavy gunfire erupts nearby. The kids start screaming and running in all directions, looking for safety. “Go back inside, there is nothing happening,” Meer shouts, as children pour out of the school with their backpacks on their shoulders, ready to return home.