In a devastating turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Lebanon’s capital, at least 20 people, including women and children, were killed in a massive Israeli airstrike that struck southern Beirut on Saturday at about 4:00 am. The attack, which Israel claims targeted Hezbollah positions, has sparked widespread protests and deepened the humanitarian crisis in a region already grappling with mounting tensions.
“Are we not humans?” The haunting question echoed through the streets of Beirut as thousands of demonstrators gathered to protest what they describe as an unconscionable attack on civilian areas. The strike, which occurred in the early hours of November 23, 2024, left a trail of destruction in its wake, with emergency services struggling to respond to the scale of the disaster.
Among the casualties was Mohammed Afif al-Naboulsi, a senior Hezbollah spokesman, whose death has further intensified the already volatile situation between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group. Local authorities report that the strike caused extensive damage to residential buildings, with rescue workers continuing to search through the rubble for survivors well into the night.
The Lebanese Health Ministry, overwhelmed by the influx of casualties, confirmed that the death toll includes several women and children who were in their homes at the time of the attack. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as neighbors rushed to help those trapped under collapsed structures, their desperate calls for help mixing with the wail of ambulance sirens.
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The strike comes amid an escalating cycle of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, which has seen both sides exchange increasingly aggressive military actions across the Lebanon-Israel border. In the days leading up to the Beirut strike, Hezbollah had launched over 100 rockets into Israeli territory, prompting what Israeli officials described as a necessary retaliatory response.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) maintained that the operation was part of their broader military campaign aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities and ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens. However, the high civilian casualty count has drawn sharp criticism from international observers and humanitarian organizations, who argue that the strike represents a disproportionate use of force in a densely populated urban area.
The international community’s response has been swift and varied. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed “grave concern” over the escalation, calling for immediate de-escalation and the protection of civilians. The United States, while reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense, urged restraint to prevent further civilian casualties. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that the region was teetering on the edge of “full-fledged war.”
For the residents of Beirut, the attack has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. Lebanon, struggling with a severe economic crisis, has seen its resources stretched to the breaking point. Displaced families, many of whom have lost everything in the strike, are now seeking shelter in overcrowded facilities, adding to the mounting humanitarian challenges facing the city.
Local humanitarian organizations report critical shortages of basic necessities, including medical supplies and shelter materials. “We’re seeing an unprecedented level of need,” said a representative from a local aid organization, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The healthcare system, already strained by years of economic hardship, is now at risk of collapse under the weight of this latest crisis.”
The strike has also reignited debates about the human cost of the ongoing conflict. Protesters gathering in Beirut’s streets carried photographs of the victims, including young children, demanding accountability and international intervention. “These are not just numbers,” said one demonstrator, holding a picture of a young victim. “These are our brothers, sisters, children. The world cannot remain silent.”
As night fell over Beirut, the city remained tense, with sporadic protests continuing and emergency services still working at the strike site. The question posed by protesters – “Are we not humans?” – hangs heavy over the city, serving as a powerful reminder of the human toll of a conflict that shows no signs of abating.
The incident marks one of the deadliest Israeli strikes on Beirut in recent years and threatens to draw Lebanon deeper into the wider regional conflict. As international mediators work to prevent further escalation, the residents of Beirut are left to mourn their dead and contemplate an increasingly uncertain future in a city once again scarred by violence.
