Beirut, Sept 21, (dpa/GNA) – One day after the Israeli attack on a densely populated suburb of Beirut, a stronghold of Hezbollah, despairing families of those still missing gathered at the site of the strike, hoping to learn more about the fate of their loved ones.
Fatima, who was searching for several missing family members, seemed in shock but fought back tears in front of the hundreds of Lebanese and foreign journalists, who were allowed to enter the site on Saturday.
“I am waiting and praying,” Fatima told dpa.
Large bulldozers and cranes, as well as hundreds of men, were still digging through a large crater in front of the collapsed building hit in Friday’s attack, searching for survivors.
“What is happening in the southern suburbs is a bombing of all international law, a bombing of humanitarian meaning, and the destruction of all laws that protect the international community,” Lebanon’s caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamiyah said during a visit to the area.
Hamiyah said 23 civilians were still missing, including children and women.
At least 31 people were killed in the Israeli airstrike on the Beirut suburb of Jamous, including women and children, the Health Ministry said on Saturday.
Ibrahim Akil, a founding member and high-ranking commander of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, was also killed in what Israel said was a targeted attack.
Most of the victims’ families were lashing out at Israel and vowed allegiance to Hezbollah chief, Hassan Nasrallah.
“They are murderers, they killed women and children,” Ali, a Hezbollah supporter, said referring to Israel.
“Their tactics will not scare us … we will fight with Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah until our last breath,” he added.
The building’s parking lot was hit by at least three rockets, which destroyed a second underground floor, where Akil was holding a meeting with key officers in the elite Radwan Force.
According to Hezbollah, Akil was responsible for planning and supervising the military operations of the elite unit since, the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel.
Hezbollah has reported the deaths of 15 of its members in the strike, including Akil.
An eerie atmosphere still hung over the area, with people waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.
“We will not bow … no matter what (the Israelis) do,” said Mustapha, another Hezbollah follower.
GNA