Still in shock, Beirut tries to heal after deadly Israeli attacks
Still in shock, Beirut tries to heal after deadly Israeli attacks
Lebanon endured a day of unprecedented devastation as Israeli air strikes targeted the country, leaving over 300 casualties in their wake. The assaults, launched abruptly in the midday hours, struck without prior warning, devastating areas previously considered safe. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, a significant portion of the victims—more than a third—were women, children, and the elderly.
Unforeseen Strikes in Safe Neighborhoods
Residents in Beirut’s bustling, densely populated districts faced unimaginable trauma as bombs fell in areas they had never before encountered in warfare. The Israeli military claimed it executed over 100 strikes within 10 minutes, targeting Hezbollah-linked infrastructure. This escalation followed a directive to evacuate southern Lebanon, with the strikes beginning shortly after.
“The air was filled with the sound of explosions, and everything we knew was turned upside down.”
The BBC’s Sebastian Usher reported from Dimona, southern Israel, where an Iranian missile struck the town. Footage from RT captured correspondent Steve Sweeney scrambling as the missile impacted, underscoring the immediate danger. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency confirmed at least 10 deaths and 27 injuries in the region.
Verifying the Evidence
BBC Verify examined the role of the Royal Navy in the Strait of Hormuz, analyzing a video of an oil depot fire in Iran. The footage highlighted the flow of vessels through the critical waterway since the US-Israeli offensive began on 27 February. Trade at the Middle East’s largest port has suffered heavily as Iran imposed a blockade.
Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians secured their tents ahead of a storm in the enclave, a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis. Dan Johnson spoke with Iranians near a border crossing, revealing how daily life has been shaped by bombs and political repression.
Explosions shook Beirut overnight as its primary airport came under attack. Some locals in Dahieh, a Beirut suburb, fled their homes amid the relentless strikes. Social media videos showed flames rising from the city skyline, while a verified clip displayed a drone crash near the airport, capturing the chaos.
International Reactions
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the UK’s response to the conflict, countering President Trump’s criticism. The war’s toll extended beyond Lebanon, with Iranians recounting the relentless stress of bombardment and the threat of regime action. From the border town of Metula, Jon Donnison relayed the sounds of intense gunfire, illustrating the frontlines’ proximity to civilian life.
