BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes
BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes
The BBC’s Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega accompanies paramedics in Nabatieh, Lebanon, a city that once thrived but is now eerily silent. Since hostilities resumed in March, over 20% of the population has fled their homes. At a damaged ambulance station, a medical worker points to the spot where a fellow team member was killed by an Israeli strike while speaking on the phone to his wife.
Disputes over Hezbollah’s use of medical facilities
Israel alleges that some ambulances and hospitals in Lebanon are being utilized by Hezbollah, but paramedics say there’s no proof to back this. Elsewhere, the Israel Defense Forces reported killing more than 20 Hezbollah fighters in a hospital complex in Bint Jbeil on Sunday, a location of brutal clashes during the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon’s health ministry denied the claim, accusing Israel of deliberately striking civilians and medical infrastructure.
Escalating tensions in the region
In Beirut, the BBC’s Hugo Bachega interviews families impacted by the ongoing conflict, as over a million people have been displaced. Paul Adams analyzes the risks of navigating the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. Meanwhile, in southern Israel, the BBC’s Sebastian Usher reports from Dimona, which was hit by an Iranian missile. RT footage shows correspondent Steve Sweeney dodging debris as the missile impacts.
According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, the attack resulted in at least 10 fatalities and 27 injuries. Iranians describe life under constant bomb threats and regime pressure. Ben Chu from BBC Verify investigates how the Royal Navy might contribute to securing the Strait of Hormuz. Displaced Palestinians in the enclave were instructed to tie down their tents to withstand a severe storm.
Voices from the frontlines
At a crossing in northwest Iran, Dan Johnson listens to locals share their perspectives on the war and the government. BBC Verify also confirms the authenticity of a video depicting a fire at an oil facility in Iran. The footage illustrates the flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israeli military operation began on 27 February. Trade at the Middle East’s largest port has suffered greatly due to Iran’s blockade of the strait.
Global response to the conflict
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed President Trump’s remarks on the UK’s approach to the conflict in Iran. Video captures flames spreading through a building in the early hours of Sunday following additional attacks on the Gulf state. Social media clips show smoke billowing above the city skyline. A verified clip from a witness reveals a drone crashing near the airport, as explosions shook the capital overnight.
