BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes
BBC Collaborates with Paramedics in Lebanon Amid Israeli Strikes
In Nabatieh, Lebanon, the BBC’s Middle East correspondent, Hugo Bachega, accompanies paramedics as the city transitions from a bustling hub to an eerily silent expanse. Over a month of intensified conflict, nearly 20% of the population has fled their homes. At a damaged ambulance depot, a paramedic recounts the moment a comrade was fatally struck by an Israeli missile while on a call to his spouse.
Israeli Claims and Lebanese Denials
Israel alleges some ambulances and medical centers in Lebanon are aiding Hezbollah, yet paramedics dispute this, citing no corroborating evidence. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces reported eliminating over 20 Hezbollah fighters from a hospital complex in Bint Jbeil, a site of brutal clashes during the 2006 war. Lebanon’s health ministry countered, accusing Israel of attacking civilians and medical infrastructure.
Families in Beirut and the Strait of Hormuz
Bachega also interviews displaced families in Beirut, where more than a million people have been uprooted. In southern Israel, Sebastian Usher reports on the Iranian missile strike in Dimona, captured in footage by RT where Steve Sweeney dives out of frame as the impact occurs. At least 10 casualties and 27 injuries were reported by Lebanon’s state news agency.
War’s Impact on Daily Life
Iranians describe life under relentless bombardment and political pressure. Ben Chu from BBC Verify examines potential naval roles in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil trade. A storm forced displaced Palestinians to secure their tents, with winds threatening to tear them apart.
Verification and Regional Disruptions
Video evidence verified by BBC Verify shows flames engulfing an oil facility in Iran. The footage highlights ships navigating the strait since the US-Israeli campaign began on 27 February. Trade at the region’s largest port has suffered heavily due to Iran’s blockade. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper refuted President Trump’s critique of the UK’s response to the conflict.
Conflict Escalates with Airstrikes
Violence erupted after a Palestinian driver allegedly killed a teenage settler. Israel’s orders target crossings over the Litani River, used by Hezbollah to funnel supplies. Overnight, explosions shook Beirut’s capital as its main airport bore the brunt of airstrikes. Some residents in Dahieh, a Beirut neighborhood, abandoned their homes due to ongoing Israeli strikes.
“The footage demonstrates the flow of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” says BBC Verify. “Trade has been severely impacted since the blockade began.”
Social media clips reveal fiery scenes in the early hours of Sunday, with flames rising against the city’s skyline. A verified witness video shows a drone crashing near the airport, underscoring the chaos gripping the region.
