BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes
BBC joins paramedics on duty in Lebanon after Israeli strikes
The BBC’s Middle East correspondent, Hugo Bachega, accompanies paramedics in Nabatieh, Lebanon, a city transformed by recent hostilities. Once a bustling hub, the area now lies in quiet devastation. Since hostilities resumed in March, over 20% of the population has been forced to flee their homes. At a damaged ambulance station, a paramedic recounts the moment a colleague was killed by an Israeli strike while speaking to his wife on the phone.
“There’s no evidence to support the claim that ambulances or health facilities are being used by Hezbollah,” says a paramedic, highlighting the confusion surrounding Israeli accusations.
In Bint Jbeil, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that more than 20 Hezbollah fighters were killed in an airstrike targeting a hospital complex. The location, a flashpoint from the 2006 war, has seen renewed violence. Lebanon’s health ministry disputes the assertion, alleging that Israel is deliberately attacking medical infrastructure to harm civilians.
Reporters in the field
Hugo Bachega also interviews families in Beirut, where over a million people have been displaced by the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Paul Adams examines the perilous situation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. Video footage from the region shows ships navigating under constant threat of attack.
Sebastian Usher reports from Dimona, southern Israel, which suffered an Iranian missile strike. In a clip from Russian state broadcaster RT, correspondent Steve Sweeney is seen scrambling to safety as the missile hits. The attack resulted in at least 10 deaths and 27 injuries, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Life under siege
Displaced Palestinians in the enclave were ordered to secure their tents against the force of an approaching storm. In north-west Iran, Dan Johnson speaks with locals who describe the war’s impact on their daily lives. BBC Verify highlights how it confirmed a video of an oil depot fire in Iran, capturing the scale of destruction as attacks escalate.
Footage from social media depicts flames consuming a building early on Sunday, with smoke rising over the city’s skyline. A verified clip shows a drone crash near the airport, underscoring the chaos in the region. Overnight, explosions shook the capital as Israeli airstrikes targeted its busiest airport.
Some residents in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh have evacuated amid persistent air strikes. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper responded to President Trump’s criticism of the UK’s stance, defending the country’s actions in the conflict. The Royal Navy’s potential role in securing the Strait of Hormuz remains a focus of BBC Verify’s analysis.
