As Israel's invasion begins, Lebanon's displaced shelter in streets with 'nowhere to go'
The myth of an invincible Hezbollah has largely collapsed, according to analysts, as its followers mourn the death of their leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
BEIRUT — Heavy bombardments from Israel on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, in the past week — amid ground raids kicking off in southern Lebanon early Tuesday — forced many people to flee their homes and left thousands with no place to go. In downtown Beirut, displaced families sleep on mattresses or on chunks of Styrofoam sprawled out on black asphalt. Others seek shelter underneath a nearby mosque, clustered together with their hastily packed bags and a few belongings.
On the evening of Sept. 27, Israel pummeled Dahiyeh in the southern suburbs of Beirut with airstrikes throughout the night and into the morning. One airstrike reduced six residential buildings to rubble, killing at least six and injuring 91, although the final death toll will likely be higher.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, senior commander Ali Karaki and several other leaders of the party were among those killed. Many in the country are mourning the death of Nasrallah, whose followers revered him as almost a fatherlike figure.
Early Tuesday morning local time, Israel’s military announced that “limited, localized and targeted” ground raids had begun.
