An Ethiopian woman living in Beirut posted a video on TikTok four days ago showing the aftermath of an Israeli missile strike that hit the building across from her, killing a couple. In the video, she urged Ethiopian domestic workers in the city not to panic but advised them to register with the Ethiopian consulate in Beirut if they wanted to be repatriated.

Her message sparked confusion online. Many people responding to the video said they were unaware of any registration process or had not received information from the consulate about evacuation procedures. Others questioned how they could return to Ethiopia amid widespread flight cancellations.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East conflict when the Tehran‑backed group Hezbollah fired rockets and drones into northern Israel. Israel responded with strikes inside Lebanon, hitting civilian areas in Beirut and other parts of the country. The exchange of attacks has raised concerns among civilians and migrant workers in the Lebanese capital, including thousands of Ethiopians employed mainly as domestic workers.

The International Organization for Migration estimates that Lebanon hosts more than 177,000 migrant workers, mainly from Africa and Asia. Human Rights Watch cites figures from Lebanon’s Labour Ministry putting the number closer to 250,000. Of these, more than 30,000 are believed to be Ethiopian.

Selam, a domestic worker who has been living in Beirut for the past three years, spoke of the constant fear caused by Israeli attacks and said she does not know how she could safely return to Ethiopia.

“We have moved to another building, not far from our apartment. Our building is still trembling,” she told Ethiopia Observer.

Selam said she has had no communication from the Ethiopian consulate. “I heard they asked us to register, but when we called, no one answered,” she said.

Many women on social media have been asking where and how to register, expressing confusion over the process.

Meanwhile, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is closely monitoring the situation and has prepared temporary shelters for its citizens in Beirut. “Despite the challenges, for those who express an interest in leaving the country, we are working diligently to use every possible means to repatriate our citizens,” the ministry said.

The ministry is considering setting up a telephone line to communicate with communities and provide updates. However, repatriation could be difficult because there are no commercial flights available from Lebanon for the next few days. Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport is facing mass flight cancellations and delays, disrupting travel across some of the world’s busiest air routes. The domestic workers have expressed growing desperation to return home, as the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. “A blanket message like the one we are hearing doesn’t do enough to help those trying to leave a country at war,” another Ethiopian woman said.