– Look, it reminds me of “Apocalypse now!”. If the Israelis had not given us an hour, you would have seen a massacre here today, the man told the German news agency DPA.
He stands amid the ruins of his neighbor’s house by the old road to Beirut‘s airport. The destruction is also similar to what has happened to Gaza, he believes.
– It is the same tactic, destruction and displacement, says the man, who only gives his first name, Ali.
DPA’s photographer has not been able to drive a motorbike into the suburban area as the road is covered with building debris. The news agency reports that people are walking around wearing masks as a result of the smoke from the destroyed buildings. Black smoke billowed over the Lebanese capital after the attack. The explosions could be heard in large parts of Beirut.
– I don’t recognize the areas anymore, says a man named Mohammed. He is standing in a roundabout at the Kuwaiti embassy in the Ghobeiri area, one of the places hit by the airstrike on Friday night.
– We left in our underpants after the warning from Israel yesterday. The children were terrified as we walked in the dark after leaving our houses, says a woman named Fatima.
At least eleven airstrikes hit the suburban area of Dahieh from 2am, according to Lebanese security sources. Police in Beirut say they have recorded at least 20 attacks.
#Eyewitness #Apocalypse #Beirut
**Interview with Ali, Eyewitness in Beirut**
**Interviewer:** Ali, you’ve witnessed the recent airstrikes in your neighborhood. Can you describe what you experienced during those moments?
**Ali:** It was terrifying. Just like in “Apocalypse Now!” If the Israelis had not warned us an hour in advance, we would have seen a massacre here today. As the smoke enveloped the area, I could see the destruction around me—it felt surreal.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the same tactics of destruction and displacement as seen in Gaza. Can you elaborate on that?
**Ali:** Absolutely. The scale of destruction here is comparable. It’s the same approach: breaking down homes and forcing people to flee. It’s disheartening to see this happen in my own city.
**Interviewer:** What was the immediate reaction of your community to the strikes?
**Ali:** People were scared. Many left their homes in a panic, just like Fatima, who fled with her children in nothing but their underpants. The sense of fear and urgency was palpable.
**Interviewer:** Mohammed expressed that he no longer recognizes his neighborhood. What does that signify for you and your fellow Beirutis?
**Ali:** It signifies loss—loss of home, security, and identity. When familiar places are obliterated, it impacts our sense of belonging and history.
**Interviewer:** How do you think the international community should respond to the situation in Beirut?
**Ali:** That’s crucial. More discussions, interventions, and support are needed. Otherwise, the cycle of violence continues unchecked.
**Interviewer:** Reflecting on your experiences, what do you think your story says about the broader human impact of conflict?
**Ali:** It highlights how the innocent suffer the most. At the end of the day, it’s about people—real lives torn apart by war. More than just statistics, we are human beings with desires, hopes, and dreams.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Ali, for sharing your powerful insights. What do you think readers should reflect on when considering the experience of those living in conflict zones like Beirut?
**Ali:** Readers should ask themselves how they would feel if it were their homes under attack. Would they stay silent, or would they demand change? It’s time to engage more deeply with these issues and show solidarity with those suffering.
