BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes
BBC Middle East Correspondent Joins Paramedics in Lebanon Amid Israeli Strikes
BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega accompanies paramedics during their shifts in Nabatieh, Lebanon, a city that was once bustling, now eerily silent. Over the past month, nearly 20% of the population has been displaced due to renewed hostilities. At a damaged ambulance station, a paramedic recalls the location where a team member was killed by an Israeli strike while on a phone call with his wife.
Israeli Claims vs Paramedic Testimonies
Israel claims that some ambulances and health facilities in Lebanon are Hezbollah strongholds, but local paramedics challenge this, pointing to no evidence supporting the allegations. Elsewhere, the Israel Defense Forces reported eliminating over 20 Hezbollah fighters from a hospital complex in Bint Jbeil, a site of intense clashes during the 2006 conflict.
Lebanon’s health ministry refutes the accusation, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting civilians and medical infrastructure. Bachega also speaks to families in Beirut, where over a million people have been uprooted by the ongoing crisis.
Missile Strikes and Casualties
In southern Israel, the city of Dimona was struck by an Iranian missile, as captured in footage from RT. Correspondent Steve Sweeney is seen ducking as the missile impacts, highlighting the dangers of the region. The National News Agency reports that at least ten people died and twenty-seven were injured in the attack.
Iranians describe life under constant bomb threats and regime pressure. BBC Verify’s Ben Chu analyzes the potential role of the Royal Navy in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route. Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians in an enclave secured their tents ahead of a storm, preventing them from being swept away.
War’s Impact on Trade and Infrastructure
Footage from the Strait of Hormuz shows ships navigating the channel since the US-Israeli military operation against Iran began on 27 February. The conflict has severely disrupted trade at the Middle East’s largest port. A verified video of a fire at an oil depot in Iran, captured by a witness, demonstrates the ongoing destruction.
Explosions rocked the capital overnight as its busiest airport faced airstrikes. Social media clips depict flames rising above the city’s skyline, while a BBC-verified drone crash near the airport underscores the chaos. In Dahieh, a Beirut suburb, some residents fled their homes amid sustained Israeli air strikes.
Responses from Political Leaders
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed President Trump’s critique of the UK’s response to the conflict, defending the nation’s actions. The video footage also captures the aftermath of attacks, with flames consuming a building in the early hours of Sunday, adding to the region’s turmoil.
As the situation escalates, the BBC continues to document the human cost and strategic implications of the war, from Lebanon’s shattered cities to the oil-rich waters of the Gulf.
