The southern Beirut neighborhood of Hay el Sellom has been left unrecognizable following a series of intense Israeli airstrikes on April 8. What was once a vibrant, densely populated community is now a landscape of collapsed buildings, twisted metal, and exposed wires. These attacks shattered a period of relative calm in the area, leading to widespread destruction and significant civilian casualties, including many children.

What Happened?

On the afternoon of April 8, a devastating wave of Israeli airstrikes struck Hay el Sellom, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs. Despite previous evacuation orders and strikes in other parts of the southern suburbs since the start of the Iran war, residents noted that Hay el Sellom had remained relatively peaceful. Many had nowhere else to go, choosing to stay in their homes. However, that Wednesday, the calm was shattered by a rapid and destructive assault.

Mohammed's son, Abbas, was asleep at home when his building was directly hit by an Israeli air strike. Mohammed recounted how three floors above his own collapsed onto his son's room, burying him under the rubble. This incident was part of a larger, deadly series of strikes across Lebanon. Israel stated it hit approximately 100 targets in just 10 minutes, beginning at 2:15 PM local time. The destruction inflicted during this brief window reportedly exceeded any other single day in the ongoing conflict. While stated targets included Hezbollah command centers and military sites, a significant number of ordinary Lebanese citizens became casualties. Lebanese authorities reported a staggering death toll of 361 for the day, with over 1,000 injured.

In the weeks following the attack, a BBC investigation visited the ruined areas, including Mohammed's apartment. Mohammed, who had lost a home in a previous conflict in 2024, lamented, “I wish it was just my home that I lost, and that my son survived.” He adamantly stated that all who died in his building were residents, asserting he would never risk his son's life if he suspected a Hezbollah presence. Following his son's death, Mohammed expressed solidarity with Hezbollah, urging them to defend Lebanon, a sentiment echoed by many residents in consistently attacked areas. While a temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran was announced earlier that day, sparking cautious hope, Israel's assault quickly extinguished it, despite claims that Lebanon would not be included.

Key Highlights

Hay el Sellom, a densely populated Beirut suburb, was extensively damaged by Israeli airstrikes on April 8.
The attacks were part of a wider assault that saw approximately 100 targets hit across Lebanon in a mere 10 minutes.
Lebanese authorities reported 361 deaths and over 1,000 injuries on that day alone.
Mohammed's son, Abbas, was killed when his building collapsed from a direct hit in Hay el Sellom.
Mohammed stressed that all casualties in his building were residents, not Hezbollah operatives, and had remained in the area due to its relative calm.
Israeli media reported the death of Ali Mohammed Ghulam Dahini, described as a senior Hezbollah figure, in the neighborhood.
The Lebanese health ministry confirmed over 80 people were killed in Hay el Sellom, with at least 15 of those being children.

Why Does This Matter?

The devastating events in Hay el Sellom underscore the tragic human cost of regional conflicts on civilian populations. Families like Mohammed's, who sought refuge in what they believed was a calm area, found their lives and homes shattered in an instant. The immense scale of destruction, coupled with the high number of civilian casualties, including numerous children, highlights the profound impact of warfare beyond military targets. These incidents erode public trust and exacerbate suffering, leaving lasting scars on communities already grappling with insecurity and loss.

This incident also raises critical questions about accountability and the protection of civilians in conflict zones. Despite stated military objectives, the reality on the ground often involves immense suffering for ordinary people caught in the crossfire. The destruction of homes and the loss of innocent lives in neighborhoods like Hay el Sellom fuel cycles of grief and resentment, further complicating paths to peace and stability in the Middle East. Understanding these direct consequences is crucial for recognizing the far-reaching human implications of regional conflicts.