These days, Beirut is characterized by a state of panic, with the Lebanese living in fear of random explosions and car bombs that kill innocent people. Following three explosions in a period of about 50 days — killing approximately 70 civilians and injuring more than 600 — the Lebanese have become prisoners of fear and the entire country a hotbed of all kinds of rumors and reactions. In particular, the country is haunted by one question: Where will the next explosion occur?
The recent car bombs in safe, civilian neighborhoods started on the morning of July 9, in the southern suburbs of Beirut, an area with a significant Shiite population. A car bomb exploded in a parking lot of a local store. Nearly 50 civilians were injured in the blast, yet no fatalities were recorded.