Still in shock, Beirut tries to heal after deadly Israeli attacks
Beirut Reeling as Israeli Air Strikes Leave Devastation
The nation endured a catastrophic day as Israeli air strikes plunged Lebanon into chaos on Wednesday, mere hours after a ceasefire was declared in Iran. Widespread attacks, launched without warning in the middle of the day, claimed over 300 lives, with a third of the victims being women, children, and the elderly, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
Residents in Beirut, still reeling from the shock, described the sudden violence as a devastating blow. The strikes targeted densely populated areas, including neighborhoods previously untouched by conflict, where people had felt a sense of security. Israel stated it conducted more than 100 aerial assaults in under 10 minutes, focusing on sites connected to the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Iranian Missile Hits Southern Israel
The BBC’s Sebastian Usher captured the aftermath in Dimona, a town in southern Israel struck by an Iranian missile. Footage from RT showed correspondent Steve Sweeney scrambling for cover as the missile hit, highlighting the scale of the damage. At least 10 individuals lost their lives, while 27 others were injured, reported by Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency.
Displaced Palestinians in the region faced another challenge as a storm swept through the enclave, prompting them to secure their makeshift shelters. Dan Johnson gathered testimonies from Iranians at a border crossing in north-west Iran, revealing their fears and perspectives amid the ongoing conflict.
Strait of Hormuz and Global Trade Impacts
BBC Verify explored the potential role of the Royal Navy in safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route. Meanwhile, the oil depot fire in Iran, verified by the BBC, illustrated the disruption to trade in the region. Since the US-Israeli offensive began on 27 February, the strait has been under Iranian blockade, affecting the Middle East’s largest port.
Social media clips displayed flames consuming buildings in the early hours of Sunday, with smoke rising above the city’s skyline. A verified video showed a drone crashing near the airport, underscoring the intensity of the strikes. Explosions rocked the capital overnight as its busiest airport was hit by aerial bombardment.
Resilience Amidst Crisis
Residents in the Dahieh suburb of Beirut fled their homes as Israeli strikes continued. Hugo Bachega, a BBC Middle East correspondent, shared accounts from those affected, emphasizing the city’s lingering trauma. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the UK’s response to the conflict, countering President Trump’s critiques of the nation’s involvement.
From the border town of Metula, Jon Donnison reported what sounded like a fierce gunfight, illustrating the relentless nature of the strikes. Iranians, reflecting on life under bombardment, spoke of constant threats and the grip of their regime, underscoring the human toll of the war.