BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes

BBC Middle East Correspondent Joins Paramedics in Lebanon Amid Israeli Strikes

BBC Middle East correspondent Hugo Bachega accompanies paramedics in Nabatieh, Lebanon, a city that once thrived but is now eerily quiet. The area has seen significant displacement, with over 20% of its population forced to flee since hostilities resumed in March. At a damaged ambulance site, a paramedic recounts the moment a colleague was killed by an Israeli strike while on a phone call with his wife.

“He was just talking to his family when the blast hit,” the paramedic says.

Israel claims some ambulances and medical facilities in Lebanon are used by Hezbollah, but local paramedics dispute this, citing no proof. Elsewhere, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported killing more than 20 Hezbollah fighters at a hospital complex in Bint Jbeil, a location marked by intense combat during the 2006 conflict. Lebanon’s health ministry refuted the claim, accusing Israel of deliberately attacking civilians and medical sites.

Displaced Families and Storm Warnings

As over a million people have been displaced, BBC’s Hugo Bachega speaks to families in Beirut. Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians in the enclave are ordered to secure their tents against strong winds from an incoming storm. Dan Johnson captures Iranians’ reflections at a border crossing in northwest Iran, discussing their experiences under relentless bombing and government pressure.

Missile Strikes and Verification Efforts

Footage from RT shows correspondent Steve Sweeney dodging a missile hit in Dimona, southern Israel. Lebanon’s National News Agency reports at least 10 deaths and 27 injuries in the attack. BBC Verify’s Ben Chu explores the potential role of the Royal Navy in safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route. A verified video by the BBC depicts a drone crash near the airport, while social media clips highlight intense fires and smoke rising over the city skyline.

Explosions shook the capital overnight as its busiest airport endured airstrikes. Some Beirut residents in the Dahieh neighborhood evacuated due to ongoing Israeli air strikes. The BBC’s Sebastian Usher reports from Dimona, where an Iranian missile struck, adding to the region’s chaos. Trade at the Middle East’s largest port has suffered heavily since Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began.

International Reactions and Conflict Escalation

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed President Trump’s critique of the UK’s response to the conflict in Iran. The footage also illustrates the steady flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran commenced on 27 February. BBC Verify details how they confirmed a video of flames engulfing an oil depot, underscoring the escalating tension in the region.