It is the afternoon of April 8th. Large-scale Israeli air strikes rock Lebanon. It is the deadliest day of Israel’s campaign this year against the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah. Dozens of people, including civilians, were killed in the attacks in the center of the capital, Beirut, according to our reporting. We found that at least seven densely populated areas were attacked without any warning. The attacks came hours after a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran. According to Israel, the deal did not extend to Lebanon. Here’s how the attacks happened: That day, Israeli attacks took place across the country. On social media, the Israeli military posted warnings for the southern outskirts of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. In these areas the air campaign starts only after 2 pm. Then, a series of explosions occur moving northwards towards the city centre. An attack is on this bustling area, full of shops and restaurants. “While I was walking, I was recording a video for my friends. We heard something. We didn’t know what it was exactly. Then they started hitting continuously.” Surveillance cameras show people running around, suddenly running for cover. Cell phones capture the smoke rising from the attack as two more missiles target the area. “I was with my nephew. We were at the gym and they just bombed. No warning.” Israeli forces attacked this building and a large warehouse across the street. According to residents, the facility was being used by Hezbollah to store food and other aid. Lebanon’s civil defense said 25 people were killed. One of the victims was Nader Khalil, who had worked at the nut roasting shop on the corner for more than three decades. Further north, this affluent area is also affected. The attack took place in a section of an eight-storey residential building just behind the historic Ain el Marisse mosque. Lebanon’s civil defense said 21 people were killed. Among the victims were seven members of the Al Jalib family. The second area that was attacked is here. Once the smoke cleared, we found significant damage to the building. Omar Moussa works in a restaurant on the ground floor. There were customers in the restaurant. People were eating and I was in shock when I walked out of the building. I was like, what happened? I was expecting a ceasefire because usually they send withdrawal orders. But this time, there was nothing. According to officials, the death toll across the country has exceeded 300. More than 1,000 people were injured. Israel says it often issues warnings to civilians before attacking, but is not legally required to do so if it would harm its operations. The Israeli army did not warn residents before attacking central Beirut on 8 April. Our reporting found that at least 50 people were killed in three of those neighborhoods, including civilians with no known ties to Hezbollah as well as children. The Israeli military declined to comment on those specific attacks. In a statement, it said it had struck Hezbollah infrastructure command centers across the country. It also said that the terrorist group operates in close proximity to civilians, adding that 250 terrorists were killed in the attacks. Hezbollah did not respond to a request for comment. A week after the attacks, President Trump declared a ceasefire which reduced fighting throughout Lebanon.
