People in the Lebanese capital Beirut, reeling after Tuesday's unprecedented attack targeting Hezbollah, are living in shock, anger and fear of what may come next as the group vows reprisals against Israel, RFI's correspondent in the city reports. France has suspended all flights to Beirut and Tel Aviv until Thursday as the fallout from the deadly explosions continues.
Nine people, including a young girl, were killed, and 2,800 others injured when thousands of communication beepers, used by Hezbollah fighters, exploded simultaneously.
The devices are used by Hezbollah fighters to avoid detection by regular phone networks. Most of the victims are members of the group.
The attack comes amid ongoing cross-border tensions between Israel and Hezbollah fighters.
At Beirut’s Geitaoui University Hospital, ambulances rushed in one after another, RFI's Sophie Guignon reported.
Naji Abi Rached, the hospital’s medical director, said: "We’ve received critical cases since the explosions. The hospital is full, operating rooms are overwhelmed, and the emergency unit is overloaded with critically injured patients."
France calls on its citizens in Lebanon to leave amid regional tensions
Most of the victims suffered injuries to their abdomens, hands and faces, with 200 in critical condition and dozens losing their eyesight.
Bilal Menhem, mayor of the Hezbollah stronghold of Sohmor in the Bekaa Valley, mourned the loss of his 28-year-old son, Abbas, one of the victims of the attack.
“My son is a hero who died a martyr for Lebanon, standing with the oppressed people of Gaza,” Menhem said, repeating Hezbollah’s belief that Israel was behind the explosions.
Country in shock
On Wednesday the government has suspended schools and closed public institutions, while describing the attack as a "criminal aggression" akin to a war crime.
Beirut plans to file a complaint against Israel at the UN Security Council.
The attack, which crippled a vital part of Hezbollah's communications infrastructure, has raised questions about the group’s vulnerability and the possibility of internal security breaches.
But the group’s military capacity remains intact, with tens of thousands of fighters still active.
Leader Hassan Nasrallah is expected to address the nation on Thursday.
