Beirut Under Siege: Hundreds Flee Homes Amidst Heaviest Bombing in 20 Years

The Lebanese capital faced a difficult night after its southern suburbs suffered the heaviest bombing in nearly 20 years, forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes to seek safety elsewhere.

The CNN team monitored successive waves of population displacement, as people fled their homes in search of safety, heading for areas unaffected by the raids.

Most of the displaced settled on the Marine Corniche, which stretches along the coast in the western part of Beirut, an area that remained untouched by the bombing, creating a temporary shelter for those fleeing the danger zone.

Israeli Raids Cause Widespread Destruction

Israel launched a series of violent raids in the Lebanese capital, particularly in the southern suburbs, where it targeted a Hezbollah “security square”, causing destruction that hampered rescue efforts.

The Israeli military said it targeted Haret Hari as Hezbollah’s “central headquarters”. Israeli television stations reported that the group’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, was the target behind the attack.

United Nations Expresses Concern

The United Nations said on Friday it was following with great concern the Israeli attack on a “densely populated” area on the southern outskirts of the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Displaced Residents Seek Shelter

The New York Times reported that hundreds, if not thousands, poured into the streets to sleep in parks, on sidewalks and near beaches.

According to CNN, most of them are residents of the area bombed by Israeli warplanes.

Scenes of their presence on the streets varied, with some gathering on the edge of the sidewalk and exchanging conversations, while others sprawled on the ground or slept on public benches.

Mothers are seen cradling their babies tenderly and anxiously, while older children wander aimlessly among parked cars in their nightgowns.

Chaos and Traffic Jams

Hamra Commercial Street witnessed a chaos and traffic jam, after a huge crowd of displaced people gathered in front of an abandoned building, which almost brought traffic to a standstill.

As the night progressed, more people fleeing the bombing began to arrive. Women were seen getting out of their cars in utter exhaustion, with their babies, blankets and whatever else they could carry, in an attempt to find a safe place to shelter.

Residents Struggle to Cope

According to what the CNN team observed, most people were carrying nothing but the clothes they were wearing as they rushed to safety.

Many tried to pretend to be brave, but their anxiety was evident despite their efforts to hide it. A woman in her early sixties told a group of people in her neighborhood: “We’re fine! I’m sure our house is fine. Don’t worry.”

City Struggles to Return to Normal

The streets were busier than usual on Saturday morning. Restaurants and cafes were open, serving food and coffee as images of the blast that shook the suburbs, just a few kilometers away, flashed on television screens.

The CNN team reported that the Israeli army issued a fresh evacuation order for residents of parts of south Beirut before launching new attacks half an hour later.

One of the neighborhoods listed was Burj el-Barajneh, a densely populated area that houses a Palestinian refugee camp and is home to many poor immigrants.