Iran Lebanese await possible major attack by Israel
A tense calm prevails in the Lebanese capital Beirut ahead of a possible attack by Israel against the Hezbollah militia. As usual, the streets of the coastal city were comparatively empty at the weekend - possibly also because residents were watching the latest news on the conflict with Israel at home. In many cafés and restaurants, the conversation turned to the situation on the country's southern border with Israel.
28.07.2024, 15:25
SDA
"I'm worried because I brought my children here to enjoy the summer with my family," said Sami Kinaan, a businessman living in Dubai. "And I hate having to leave the country quickly with three children if Israel were to attack." Others were more indifferent. Israel had been announcing strikes on Hezbollah since October, but neither Israel nor Hezbollah wanted a war, said local resident Mona Dahir. She is not interested in whether Israel attacks - she goes to the beach anyway.
Israeli fighter jets could sometimes be heard in the sky. "They want to scare us, but we are survivors," said a waiter called Imad. "I'm here to take my mind off things," said a restaurant owner. A woman said, "For me, the loss of any civilians on either side is sad."
On Saturday, at least twelve people between the ages of 10 and 20 were killed in a rocket attack in the Druze village of Majdal Shams on the Golan Heights, most of them children and teenagers. Israel blamed Hezbollah and announced retaliation.
For months, there have been concerns that the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah could develop into another all-out war in addition to the Gaza war. Many Lebanese are therefore seeking distraction, for example on the beaches or in the mountains of the Mediterranean country. Lebanon is also struggling with the worst economic crisis in its history and an ongoing political crisis.
