Still in shock, Beirut tries to heal after deadly Israeli attacks
Lebanon endured one of its most catastrophic days in recent history, as Israeli air strikes ravaged the nation on Wednesday, just hours after a ceasefire was declared in Iran. The assaults, launched midday without prior warning, claimed over 300 lives, with a third being women, children, and the elderly, per the Lebanese health ministry. Many of the strikes targeted densely populated areas, including neighborhoods previously untouched by conflict, where civilians had assumed safety.
Israel asserted that it conducted more than 100 air strikes in a 10-minute span, aiming at Hezbollah-linked targets. BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega shared accounts from Beirut residents, capturing the city’s lingering trauma. Meanwhile, in southern Israel’s Dimona, BBC correspondent Sebastian Usher reported on an Iranian missile strike that disrupted local life. Footage from Russian state broadcaster RT showed correspondent Steve Sweeney scrambling as the missile hit, highlighting the immediate danger.
At least 10 casualties and 27 injuries were recorded in the National News Agency’s tally, underscoring the human toll. Iranians described the war as a constant battle against bombs and government crackdowns, with some recounting their experiences at a crossing in north-west Iran. BBC Verify’s Ben Chu analyzed the potential role of the Royal Navy in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for Middle East trade.
Displaced Palestinians were urged to secure their tents ahead of a storm sweeping through the enclave, adding to their challenges. Trade at the Gulf’s largest port has suffered significantly since Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began, affecting global supply chains. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the UK’s response to the conflict, countering President Trump’s criticisms.
Footage captured flames engulfing a building in the early hours of Sunday, following intensified attacks on the gulf state. Social media clips showed towering plumes of smoke against the city’s skyline, with a verified video from a witness depicting a drone crash near the airport. Explosions shook the capital overnight as its busiest airport came under attack.
Residents in Beirut’s Dahieh suburb fled their homes amid ongoing Israeli strikes, emphasizing the scale of disruption. The BBC’s Nick Marsh explored how Middle East unrest could ripple into global living costs. Iranians escaping the conflict detailed the hardships of life under bombardment, while in Metula, on the Lebanon border, the BBC’s Jon Donnison captured the sound of a fierce gun battle, signaling the start of Israel’s “wave of strikes.”
“A wave of strikes” began hours after Israeli authorities ordered civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, according to the military.
