Beirut quiet as residents mourn after Israeli strikes

A tense calm settled over Beirut on Thursday as residents mourned following a wave of Israeli airstrikes that killed scores and left hundreds injured.
Two Israeli strikes hit the city’s southern suburbs at dawn, just hours after the Iran-backed group Hezbollah launched attacks on northern Israel.
The group said it had shelled the Israeli town of Manara overnight, describing the action as a response to what it called Israel’s violation of a ceasefire.
The escalation follows a large-scale Israeli aerial campaign on Wednesday that targeted central Beirut and its southern suburbs, striking residential and commercial areas, often without warning.
According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least 182 people were killed and around 900 others wounded in the operation.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared Thursday a national day of mourning, ordering the closure of public institutions and directing flags to be flown at half-mast across the country.
Israel has maintained that Lebanon is not covered by the ceasefire agreement with Iran announced earlier this week by Donald Trump.
The latest surge in violence comes after Hezbollah vowed retaliation for the killing of Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in an Israeli strike in February.
Israel has since intensified its military campaign, carrying out air and ground operations across Lebanon.
Wednesday’s bombardment marked the heaviest assault on Beirut since hostilities resumed, leaving the usually bustling capital subdued, with deserted streets and residents staying indoors amid fears of further escalation.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Hot news Home top
No school abduction in Oyo for years until hours after I declared for presidency: Makinde
Mr Makinde slammed critics who said it was his responsibility to secure the release of the abducted victims in the state.

Ibadan
Rehabilitation of Oyo schoolchildren, teachers our priority: Makinde
Mr Makinde commended the security personnel for the rescue of the pupils and teachers, who had been held captive since May 15.

States
Police arrest three suspected cultists in Abia
The police spokesperson, Maureen Chioma Chinaka, said the operation followed actionable intelligence about a planned cult gathering.

Heading 4
South African police arrest Zimbabwean Zandile Tshuma over murder of wife, daughters in UK
The police spokesperson said the suspect is expected to appear in court on Monday.

States
Tinubu lauds rescue of Oyo pupils, teachers; vows justice for victims
Mr Tinubu vowed to get justice for the victims, including the mathematics teacher, murdered while in captivity.

Ibadan
Oyo Abduction: Eight suspects arrested, several killed, presidency says
The presidential aide noted that the victims were rescued without any concessions to the perpetrators.





