57岁的胡塞因·哈姆泽在以色列-真主党战争期间留守黎巴嫩南部Zefta村，每日冒着无人机轰炸的危险为数百只流浪狗和牲畜分发食物和水[1]。哈姆泽创办的Mashala动物收容所收容约200只狗、2只骆驼、多匹马和其他动物[1]。在2026年3月至6月的战争期间，约四分之一的黎巴嫩人口被迫逃离家园，但哈姆泽是坚守该村的约20人之一[1]。他每天驾驶卡车分发物资，甚至在车顶贴上"Mashala"标志，试图让无人机能够识别他，但仍缺乏安全保障[1]。约50只狗在战争期间自己来到收容所寻求食物[1]。
哈姆泽对动物的执着源于一次逃离死神的经历[1]。在2006年战争中，一只狗的吠叫声让他起身，救了他的生命——炸弹随后落在他原本的睡眠位置[1]。战争于6月停火后，他继续接收大量动物救援请求，估计每天收到约500条消息和来电[1]。然而，捐款逐渐减少，这给他的救援工作带来了新的挑战[1]。
Houssein Hamze, a 57-year-old Lebanese man, owes his survival to a dog that alerted him to danger during the 2006 war.[1] A barking dog woke him from sleep, and he got up just moments before a bomb struck the exact spot where he had been lying.[1] Two decades later, when conflict returned to his country, Hamze made the choice to remain at his animal shelter rather than flee to safety.
Hamze founded Mashala, an animal sanctuary located in Zefta village in southern Lebanon, where he has cared for approximately 200 dogs, 2 camels, multiple horses, and other animals.[1] When Israel-Hezbollah fighting erupted in March 2026, about one quarter of Lebanon's population was forced to abandon their homes.[1] However, Hamze stayed behind as one of roughly 20 people who remained in the village, driving a truck daily to distribute dry food and water to hundreds of stray dogs and livestock despite constant exposure to drone strikes.[1] He placed "Mashala" markings on his vehicle's roof in hopes that unmanned aircraft would identify and spare him, though he received no guarantee of safety.[1] Around 50 additional dogs arrived at the shelter on their own seeking food during the conflict.[1]
Since the ceasefire took effect in June 2026, Hamze continues to face mounting pressure.[1] While donations have begun to decline, he now receives approximately 500 messages and phone calls daily requesting animal rescue assistance.[1]