Lebanon09 April, 20261 min read
Israel Bombs Central Beirut 100 Times in 10 Minutes Killing 254 After US-Iran Ceasefire
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Israeli strikes hit central Beirut on the first day of the US-Iran ceasefire. Casualties reported range from about 182 to 254 dead.
Ceasefire Shattered
Just hours after a two-week ceasefire was announced between the United States and Iran, Israel unleashed more than 100 airstrikes across Lebanon in 10 minutes. The strikes killed at least 254 people including scores of civilians in Beirut.
Israel insisted the ceasefire did not apply to its war against Hezbollah, a position contradicted by the Pakistani mediator and Iran. The surge came on the very first day of the ceasefire, turning initial optimism on its head.
Beirut Devastated
Beirut's central Corniche al Mazraa neighborhood bore the brunt of the assault, with multiple strikes hitting without warning. Emergency responders found charred bodies in vehicles and on the ground.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 182 killed in Beirut alone. The strikes destroyed the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria.
International Contradictions
The ceasefire's applicability to Lebanon was at the heart of the dispute. Netanyahu and Trump insisted Lebanon was excluded because of Hezbollah.
Pakistan's Sharif and Iran said the deal covered all theaters. The contradiction came as Israel struck Lebanon extensively while Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz.
Humanitarian Toll
Lebanon was already reeling from weeks of continuous bombardment that had displaced more than half a million people. The destruction of the Masnaa crossing severed a vital artery for humanitarian aid.
Hospitals operated under extreme strain. The ceasefire unraveled in under 12 hours.
