The Aftermath of Beirut's Devastating Night
The death of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, confirmed by Hezbollah on Saturday, has sent shockwaves through Lebanon and the wider Arab world. However, the Lebanese civilians are the ones bearing the brunt of the destruction caused by Israeli warplanes' overnight attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs, which have reduced entire buildings to rubble.
The Shocking Casualty Toll
This devastating event marks the end of a week that has already seen at least 700 deaths, as reported by Lebanon's Health Ministry. The exact number of civilian casualties versus militants is still unclear, but it is evident that the civilian death toll is alarmingly high.
Israel's military has pledged to continue its operations over Lebanon, frequently claiming that Hezbollah conceals missiles, drones, and UAVs within and beneath residences.
Despite the death of Nasrallah and other top leaders, sporadic missile attacks from south Lebanon into Israel occurred overnight. However, it remains uncertain how this will impact Hezbollah's organizational capabilities.
Israel's Precautionary Measures
Israel is not taking any chances, having called off school across the north and prohibited large public gatherings. The Associated Press reports that Israel's military updated guidelines for residents on Saturday, banning large gatherings, demonstrations, and sports events in central Israel due to fears of a counterattack following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Israel has been carpet-bombing densely populated neighborhoods of Beirut and greater Lebanon for over eight hours straight, resulting in a new tragedy every five minutes. Meanwhile, videos from Tel Aviv show Israelis celebrating at parties.
The Situation on the Ground
Joseph Bahout, the Beirut-based director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, described the situation in Lebanon to Al Jazeera as of Saturday morning. He reported non-stop bombings all night long and people sleeping in open-air spaces, sometimes without food to eat.
Bahout further stated that Lebanon is currently in total chaos, and he anticipates that the worst is yet to come, regardless of the political and military outcomes of the strike on Hassan Nasrallah.
Continued Airstrikes and Vows of Retaliation
More images and videos of Beirut's horrific night have surfaced, showing the extent of the destruction. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has vowed to continue fighting Israel. In response, Israel has warned that its bombing campaign will continue until the military capabilities of the Iran-backed group are fully degraded. Further airstrikes on Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood were observed later on Saturday.
Bottom Line
The recent events in Beirut have resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life. With both sides vowing to continue the fight, the situation remains volatile and uncertain. It's a stark reminder of the human toll that such conflicts can take. What are your thoughts on these recent developments? Please share this article with your friends and join the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
The Aftermath of Beirut's Devastating Night
The death of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, confirmed by Hezbollah on Saturday, has sent shockwaves through Lebanon and the wider Arab world. However, the Lebanese civilians are the ones bearing the brunt of the destruction caused by Israeli warplanes' overnight attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs, which have reduced entire buildings to rubble.
The Shocking Casualty Toll
This devastating event marks the end of a week that has already seen at least 700 deaths, as reported by Lebanon's Health Ministry. The exact number of civilian casualties versus militants is still unclear, but it is evident that the civilian death toll is alarmingly high.
Israel's military has pledged to continue its operations over Lebanon, frequently claiming that Hezbollah conceals missiles, drones, and UAVs within and beneath residences.
Despite the death of Nasrallah and other top leaders, sporadic missile attacks from south Lebanon into Israel occurred overnight. However, it remains uncertain how this will impact Hezbollah's organizational capabilities.
Israel's Precautionary Measures
Israel is not taking any chances, having called off school across the north and prohibited large public gatherings. The Associated Press reports that Israel's military updated guidelines for residents on Saturday, banning large gatherings, demonstrations, and sports events in central Israel due to fears of a counterattack following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Israel has been carpet-bombing densely populated neighborhoods of Beirut and greater Lebanon for over eight hours straight, resulting in a new tragedy every five minutes. Meanwhile, videos from Tel Aviv show Israelis celebrating at parties.
The Situation on the Ground
Joseph Bahout, the Beirut-based director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs, described the situation in Lebanon to Al Jazeera as of Saturday morning. He reported non-stop bombings all night long and people sleeping in open-air spaces, sometimes without food to eat.
Bahout further stated that Lebanon is currently in total chaos, and he anticipates that the worst is yet to come, regardless of the political and military outcomes of the strike on Hassan Nasrallah.
Continued Airstrikes and Vows of Retaliation
More images and videos of Beirut's horrific night have surfaced, showing the extent of the destruction. Hezbollah, meanwhile, has vowed to continue fighting Israel. In response, Israel has warned that its bombing campaign will continue until the military capabilities of the Iran-backed group are fully degraded. Further airstrikes on Beirut's Dahiyeh neighborhood were observed later on Saturday.
Bottom Line
The recent events in Beirut have resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life. With both sides vowing to continue the fight, the situation remains volatile and uncertain. It's a stark reminder of the human toll that such conflicts can take. What are your thoughts on these recent developments? Please share this article with your friends and join the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
