The tragic story of Fawwaz as told by his relatives to ANSA bears many similarities to that of many Syrians, betrayed and cheated by human smugglers and soldiers when crossing borders.
Across the Middle East, hundreds of people have been deciding to embark on dangerous journeys at sea to seek better opportunities. Some are trying to escape the Syrian war, others from economic hardship in Lebanon, and some want to overcome the legacy of decades of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians – only to meet their death.
At least two migrants were confirmed to have died while over 200 were rescued on Saturday when their boat sank off Lebanon's northern coast, from where increasing numbers of people are trying to make the risky journey to flee their collapsed economy.
He lost his entire family in a shipwreck when they tried to cross to Europe from Lebanon via the Mediterranean Sea. 37-year old Wissam Tellawi told us his story.
One of the few survivors of a migrant shipwreck that took place off the Syrian coastline in September has been released and repatriated to Lebanon after he was detained by Syrian authorities.
Italy has welcomed more than 300 migrants via humanitarian corridors over the past two weeks. The new right-wing government has said it says 'yes' to the corridors and 'no' to traffickers and "illegal immigration".
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that unaccompanied and underage refugees can bring their family to the EU even if they are already married.
Lebanon's president made international headlines when he said his country planned to start sending Syrian refugees back home. But confusion reigns as to what he meant and who exactly is being sent back.
Jihad Michlawi is a Palestinian who had been working in Lebanon. He was one of around 150 people who recently boarded a boat from Tripoli, Lebanon, to make it to Europe. En route, the boat capsized and at least 100 people died. Michlawi survived and told his story to the news agency Associated Press.
Lebanon is mourning the death of almost 100 people, who drowned in the Mediterranean last week after setting off from its northern shores. Many say that the deadly voyage could have been prevented if rich politicians put the money where their mouths are.
At least 77 migrants likely have drowned in the incident while 20 others were rescued after their boat sank off Syria's coast, having departed from neighbouring Lebanon. The death toll of what is the deadliest shipwreck from Lebanon in recent years is expected to still rise.
Cyprus's Joint Rescue Coordination Center has picked up more than 300 migrants stranded west of Cyprus. The migrants, who were headed for Italy, will be taken to Istanbul.