BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes
BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes
BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega accompanies paramedics in Nabatieh, Lebanon, a city now eerily quiet after Israeli strikes. The conflict has displaced over 200,000 people since March, leaving many homes empty. At a damaged medical facility, a paramedic recounts the death of a colleague during an Israeli attack while he was on a call with his spouse.
Clashes and Claims
Israel alleges some ambulances and hospitals in Lebanon are being used by Hezbollah, but paramedics refute this, citing no evidence. In Bint Jbeil, the IDF reported eliminating more than 20 Hezbollah fighters from a hospital area, which was a key battleground during the 2006 war. Lebanon’s health ministry disputes the claim, accusing Israel of deliberately targeting civilians and medical staff.
BBC reporter Sebastian Usher documents the aftermath in Dimona, southern Israel, where an Iranian missile struck the city. Russian RT footage shows Steve Sweeney, the BBC’s correspondent, fleeing as the missile impacts. Lebanon’s state news agency reports at least 10 fatalities and 27 injuries from the attack.
War’s Impact
Families in Beirut share their experiences as over a million people have been forced to flee. Paul Adams examines the peril of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil routes. The violence began after a Palestinian driver reportedly killed a teenage Israeli settler with a vehicle.
Israel’s military directed efforts to dismantle crossings over the Litani River, which Hezbollah used to move supplies. Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians scrambled to secure their tents as a storm battered the region. Dan Johnson interviews Iranians in north-western regions, highlighting their perspectives on the ongoing conflict and government pressure.
Verification and Response
BBC Verify’s Ben Chu explores the Royal Navy’s potential role in the Strait of Hormuz. A verified video from a witness shows a drone crash near the airport, with flames spreading rapidly. Overnight explosions shook Beirut’s capital as airstrikes targeted its busiest airport. Some residents in Dahieh, a Beirut neighborhood, evacuated amid relentless air strikes.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper defends the UK’s approach to the conflict, countering U.S. President Trump’s criticism. Social media footage captures towering flames and smoke above the city skyline, underscoring the intensity of the attacks. The situation continues to escalate, with trade at the region’s largest port severely disrupted since Iran’s blockade began.